The effects of explicit recasts and output-only prompts on learning L2 grammar

Abstract

This quasi-experimental study investigates the potential benefits of two types of corrective feedback strategies, explicit recasts and output-only prompts, on the acquisition of English third person '-s’. Thirty-six language learners in three intact classes from a university in Istanbul were assigned into two experimental groups and a control group and completed communicative tasks that made the use of the target language necessary. The explicit recast was operationalized as repetition of erroneous utterances followed by supra-segmental manipulation where stress and intonation were employed to make the corrective force of recasts salient. Output-only prompts were operationalized as repetition and elicitation. Acquisition was measured through untimed grammaticality judgment tests (UGJT) and oral narration tasks that were administered prior to the instructions, immediately after the instructions and 10 days later. The analysis of data revealed a clear advantage of explicit recast on the oral measures of the immediate posttest, and to lesser extent, the delayed posttest. The findings suggested that, at least in some EFL contexts, explicit recasts might have a more positive impact on the acquisition process than output-only prompts.