Research Article

Zooming Into Negotiation: Task-Based Interaction In An Online Synchronous EFL Setting

Volume: 14 Number: 3 July 31, 2025
TR EN

Zooming Into Negotiation: Task-Based Interaction In An Online Synchronous EFL Setting

Abstract

This study investigates the patterns of negotiation of meaning (NoM) routines that emerge during three types of online synchronous tasks—jigsaw, decision-making, and problem-solving—among learners of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Grounded in Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) and interactionist theories of Second Language Acquisition (SLA), the research draws on a qualitative discourse analysis of 13 hours of transcribed spoken learner interaction involving 32 intermediate-level university students. A total of 225 negotiation routines were identified across the three task types. The jigsaw task produced the highest number of routines (n = 79), followed by decision-making (n = 74) and problem-solving (n = 72). While clarification requests were the most frequent across all tasks, each task elicited a distinct pattern: jigsaw tasks generated frequent information-related clarification requests and confirmation checks; decision-making tasks prompted procedural comprehension checks and coordination-based checks; and problem-solving tasks led to deeper conceptual repairs and clarification episodes, reflecting their abstract and emotionally complex content. The findings suggest that task type and complexity significantly influence both the quantity and quality of negotiation routines, supporting claims from cognitive task complexity theory and interactionist SLA. The study also highlights the potential of online synchronous tasks to foster meaningful learner interaction, language-related episodes, and collaborative problem-solving. Pedagogical implications and suggestions for future research in digitally mediated TBLT environments are discussed.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The study was approved by Hacettepe University Institute of Educational Sciences Ethics Committee on 13.06.2023 with approval code E-66777842-300-00003285358.

Thanks

The article has been generated as part of an unpublished PhD thesis of the first author supervised by the second author, in English Language Education Program at Hacettepe University. I would like to sincerely thank the students who willingly performed the online tasks and made valuable contributions during the research process. I am also grateful to my colleagues and field experts who contributed to the process with their academic opinions and suggestions during the data collection, transcription and analysis stages. I would also like to thank the administration of the School of Foreign Language Education for supporting the conduct of the study.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Applied Linguistics and Educational Linguistics, Educational Technology and Computing

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

July 31, 2025

Publication Date

July 31, 2025

Submission Date

April 28, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 17, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 14 Number: 3

APA
Sağlam, L., & Alagözlü, N. (2025). Zooming Into Negotiation: Task-Based Interaction In An Online Synchronous EFL Setting. Bartın University Journal of Faculty of Education, 14(3), 920-938. https://izlik.org/JA74ES92YB
AMA
1.Sağlam L, Alagözlü N. Zooming Into Negotiation: Task-Based Interaction In An Online Synchronous EFL Setting. BUEFAD. 2025;14(3):920-938. https://izlik.org/JA74ES92YB
Chicago
Sağlam, Leyla, and Nuray Alagözlü. 2025. “Zooming Into Negotiation: Task-Based Interaction In An Online Synchronous EFL Setting”. Bartın University Journal of Faculty of Education 14 (3): 920-38. https://izlik.org/JA74ES92YB.
EndNote
Sağlam L, Alagözlü N (July 1, 2025) Zooming Into Negotiation: Task-Based Interaction In An Online Synchronous EFL Setting. Bartın University Journal of Faculty of Education 14 3 920–938.
IEEE
[1]L. Sağlam and N. Alagözlü, “Zooming Into Negotiation: Task-Based Interaction In An Online Synchronous EFL Setting”, BUEFAD, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 920–938, July 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA74ES92YB
ISNAD
Sağlam, Leyla - Alagözlü, Nuray. “Zooming Into Negotiation: Task-Based Interaction In An Online Synchronous EFL Setting”. Bartın University Journal of Faculty of Education 14/3 (July 1, 2025): 920-938. https://izlik.org/JA74ES92YB.
JAMA
1.Sağlam L, Alagözlü N. Zooming Into Negotiation: Task-Based Interaction In An Online Synchronous EFL Setting. BUEFAD. 2025;14:920–938.
MLA
Sağlam, Leyla, and Nuray Alagözlü. “Zooming Into Negotiation: Task-Based Interaction In An Online Synchronous EFL Setting”. Bartın University Journal of Faculty of Education, vol. 14, no. 3, July 2025, pp. 920-38, https://izlik.org/JA74ES92YB.
Vancouver
1.Leyla Sağlam, Nuray Alagözlü. Zooming Into Negotiation: Task-Based Interaction In An Online Synchronous EFL Setting. BUEFAD [Internet]. 2025 Jul. 1;14(3):920-38. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA74ES92YB

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