Term

Summer 2025

Capstone

Capstone Project

Degree Name

MA-TESOL

Facilitator(s)

Jennifer Carlson

Content Expert

Susan Wetenkamp-Brandt

Abstract

Peer interaction is essential for adult English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL) students' oral skills development. However, it is more challenging to offer peer interaction in online synchronous classes. To support new teachers who begin online teaching, the author reviewed research on peer learning and online classroom interactional competencies. Based on a foundation of second language acquisition theories and communicative teaching practices, oral skills are developed more with specific types of activities in online breakout rooms: task-based, cooperative, and collaborative activities. These activities are inherently social and motivate learners to engage in negotiation for meaning and a focus on form. Digital skills, explicit directions, social supports, and online interactional competencies are also needed for effective peer interaction online. This capstone begins to answer the question, What practices increase peer oral interaction in adult ESOL online breakout rooms? The project provides a series of professional development trainings offered as online synchronous workshops that introduce and model the research findings for how to adapt peer interaction as a tool to mediate language learning in online breakout rooms.

Project Type

Professional Development

Keywords

Adult Education, ESL/ ELLs, Staff Development

dc_type

text

dc_publisher

DigitalCommons@Hamline

dc_format

application/pdf

dc_source

School of Education Student Capstone Projects

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