Investigating consciousness‐raising tasks: pedagogically targeted and non‐targeted learning gains

This study investigates a series of dyadic consciousness‐raising tasks which were introduced into an actual L2 classroom over an extended period of time. The investigation seeks to measure learning gains in the short and medium term by a pre‐test, post‐test, and delayed post‐test design. In order to capture the full spectrum of learning opportunities raised during the collaborative completion of the tasks, two test formats were developed: a priori constructed tests that covered those L2 features focused on by the tasks, and a posteriori tests which were based on a retrospective analysis of learners’ task‐based interactions, thus developing Swain's idea of ‘tailor‐made’ tests. In fact, this research not only shows that consciousness‐raising tasks can bring about significant learning gains in L2 explicit knowledge, but further reveals that many such learning opportunities lie outside the explicit linguistic focus of the tasks under scrutiny.