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“I Know There's Something Like That in Spanish”: Heritage Language Learners' Multifaceted Interactions with Linguistically Diverse Peers
Author(s) -
MartinBeltrán Melinda,
García Andrés A.,
MontoyaÁvila Angélica
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of applied linguistics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.712
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1473-4192
pISSN - 0802-6106
DOI - 10.1111/ijal.12310
Subject(s) - sociocultural evolution , heritage language , framing (construction) , psychology , literacy , second language , language acquisition , linguistics , pedagogy , mathematics education , sociology , philosophy , structural engineering , anthropology , engineering
This study contributes to research on heritage language learners (HLLs) and peer interaction by exploring the nature of the interactions between HLLs and their linguistically diverse peers, who may defy traditionally discrete language learner categories. Grounded in sociocultural theory, we analyzed video‐recorded peer interactions during Spanish/English literacy activities in an extracurricular, bilingual secondary program. We found that students' interaction patterns and perceived expertise may shift with different interlocutors and language‐related episodes (LREs). Our findings call for future research to refine the conceptual framing and theorizing of peer interactions, especially involving HLLs across an array of peer groupings. We offer implications for educators mediating peer collaboration and incorporating HLLs' multifaceted linguistic expertise to enhance learning opportunities for diverse learners.