The Role of Written Dialogue in Advising

The Role of Written Dialogue in Advising

Jo Mynard and Katherine Thornton,Kanda University of International Studies

Overview

• Context• Self-directed learning modules• Written advising• Focus of advisor comments• Advising strategies• Next steps

Our context – The SALC at KUIS

• 9 Learning Advisors• Foster autonomous learning

skills• Self-directed learning

modules• Written and spoken advising

• Input-based• Build skills for self-

directed learning• 7 units – Needs Analysis,

Time management, Resources, Learner Strategies etc.

• Activity & Reflection model

First Steps Module - Learner training

Self-directed learning modules

• Learner-generated content

• Plan, implement, reflect cycle

• Learner-advisor dialogue

Plan

The reflective cycle

Why written advising?

• Writing facilitates reflection • Thinking time (for both LA and learner)

• Ongoing dialogue

• Practical way to provide 1 to 1 support

• Cognitive, metacognitive and affective focus

•What do advisors focus on in their comments to learners?

•What strategies do advisors use to raise awareness of the learning process?

Research questions

RQ1: Focus of advisor comments

FSM

• 4 Learning Advisors

• 50 advisor responses to learner reflections

Data Collection

Data Analysis

•Interpretative

•Analysed for cognitive, metacognitive and affective focus (Wenden & Rubin, 1987)

• Cognitive• Metacognitive• Affective• (Other)

RQ1 – Focus of advisor input

Cognitive focus – activity suggestions

I recommend you to record yourself when you speak English. You can borrow a recorder from SALC counter if you need one. By recording, you can listen and compare your speaking for improvements.

Cognitive focus – resource suggestions

It sounds like you found two interesting resources, but one is more difficult, right? Could you try shadowing using an easier text with a CD?

There are lots of magazines in the reading and listening sections of the SALC which have CDs for shadowing.

Cognitive focus – time management

You did an excellent job this unit.The details you included in the activities were really good. Think about your weekly schedule:

1. What are good days and times when you can use to work on your goals?2. What activities can you do during these days and times?

Metacognitive Focus – Goal setting

You are talking a lot about TOEFL and also casual English. The kind of English needed for tests is very different from the kind of English you will need for more casual English.You may wish to rethink your goals…Do you want/need TOEFL listening/TOEFL vocabulary or everyday listening/everyday vocabulary?The kinds of materials and activities you do will depend on your goals.

Affective focus

I agree it is important for you to take a rest so you can feel more relaxed.This will help you to stay motivated.

I agree that having English conversations can be stressful and make students nervous.

You're not the only person to feel like that.

I know you are superbusy with all your work. Finding time

for independent study (module work) can be difficult.

Also a big part of university life is socializing and having fun

with friends - don’t feel too bad.

What the SUR model can do is help you add balance to your

language learning. Activities that help you study use and

review for both your goals are particularly useful.

What are some activities that you can do to help you study

–vocab & speaking and use vocab & speaking?

Multiple Focus

I know you are superbusy with all your work. Finding time

for independent study (module work) can be difficult.

Also a big part of university life is socializing and having

fun with friends - don’t feel too bad.

What the SUR model can do is help you add balance to your

language learning. Activities that help you study use and

review for both your goals are particularly useful.

What are some activities that you can do to help you study

vocab & speaking and use vocab & speaking?

Multiple Focus - Affective

I know you are superbusy with all your work. Finding time

for independent study (module work) can be difficult.

Also a big part of university life is socializing and having fun

with friends - don’t feel too bad.

What the SURE model can do is help you add balance to

your language learning. Activities that help you study use

and review for both your goals are particularly useful.

What are some activities that you can do to help you study

vocab & speaking and use vocab & speaking?

Multiple Focus - Metacognitive

I know you are superbusy with all your work. Finding time

for independent study (module work) can be difficult.

Also a big part of university life is socializing and having fun

with friends - don’t feel too bad.

What the SUR model can do is help you add balance to your

language learning. Activities that help you study use and

review for both your goals are particularly useful.

What are some activities that you can do to help you study

vocab & speaking and use vocab & speaking?

Multiple Focus - Cognitive

Harumi, for unit 4, you were supposed to choose two resources and use them. Did you try to talk at the yellow sofa? How long? Did you try to use a program in the speaking booth? Which one? Please try an activity and talk about it here.

Other focus – Keeping on track

Thanks for completing the FSM.but you handed in Units 6 & 7 too late.I am grading learning plans now.Sorry!I hope you found useful information.

Other focus – “non-comment”

Advisor Preferences – Advisor A

Advisor Preferences – Advisor B

Advisor Preferences – Advisor C

Advisor Preferences – Advisor D

Summary

• Some evidence of advisor styles, but all three kinds of focus clearly represented

• Different types of discourse strategies evident• Caveat: Influence of unit topics?

Next stepConduct similar analysis of self-directed

modules

RQ2: What strategies do advisors use in their comments?

Counselling and advising

From Carson & Mynard, forthcoming (introduction)

Patterns

Degree of directiveness

Less directive

More directive

Degree of directiveness

Less directive

More directive

Degree of directiveness

Less directive

More directive

Data collection

• 7 Module packs• 7 different learners, 7 LAs• Focussed on input/advising

Data Analysis

•Interpretative

•Framework created from the data

•Analysed using emergent coding system

•Codes discussed and renegotiated between both researchers

Codes – more directive

• Directive• Strong suggestions• Expert opinion?

Codes – less directive

• Prompting further reflection• Conditional language• Mild suggestion

Extract 1

I’m glad that recording and listening to your conversation helped you find some of your weak areas. What kind of study activities do you think would help you improve? Silences? One word answers?

Do you know good phrases for filling silences and giving your opinion?

How could you study pronunciation with those kind of phrases?

I think you’re right that it’s a good idea to plan your topic for your conversation in advance.

Good luck at the practice centre.

Extract 1

I’m glad that recording and listening to your conversation helped you find some of your weak areas. What kind of study activities do you think would help you improve? Silences? One word answers?

Do you know good phrases for filling silences and giving your opinion?

How could you study pronunciation with those kind of phrases?

I think you’re right that it’s a good idea to plan your topic for your conversation in advance.

Good luck at the practice centre.

Reinforcing

Extract 1

I’m glad that recording and listening to your conversation helped you find some of your weak areas. What kind of study activities do you think would help you improve? Silences? One word answers?

Do you know good phrases for filling silences and giving your opinion?

How could you study pronunciation with those kind of phrases?

I think you’re right that it’s a good idea to plan your topic for your conversation in advance.

Good luck at the practice centre.

Prompting further reflection

Extract 1

I’m glad that recording and listening to your conversation helped you find some of your weak areas. What kind of study activities do you think would help you improve? Silences? One word answers?

Do you know good phrases for filling silences and giving your opinion?

How could you study pronunciation with those kind of phrases?

I think you’re right that it’s a good idea to plan your topic for your conversation in advance.

Good luck at the practice centre.

Prompting further reflection

Extract 1

I’m glad that recording and listening to your conversation helped you find some of your weak areas. What kind of study activities do you think would help you improve? Silences? One word answers?

Do you know good phrases for filling silences and giving your opinion?

How could you study pronunciation with those kinds of phrases?

I think you’re right that it’s a good idea to plan your topic for your conversation in advance.

Good luck at the practice centre.

Prompting further reflection

Extract 1

I’m glad that recording and listening to your conversation helped you find some of your weak areas. What kind of study activities do you think would help you improve? Silences? One word answers?

Do you know good phrases for filling silences and giving your opinion?

How could you study pronunciation with those kind of phrases?

I think you’re right that it’s a good idea to plan your topic for your conversation in advance.

Good luck at the practice centre.

Reinforcing

Extract 1

I’m glad that recording and listening to your conversation helped you find some of your weak areas. What kind of study activities do you think would help you improve? Silences? One word answers?

Do you know good phrases for filling silences and giving your opinion?

How could you study pronunciation with those kind of phrases?

I think you’re right that it’s a good idea to plan your topic for your conversation in advance.

Good luck at the practice centre.

Reinforcing Prompting further reflection

…you did some good work this week. I’m impressed with the reflection on your study activities and your progress.

You seem to be learning a lot of new words each week –

are these words you are interested in or related to topics you want to talk about?

Also, you seem to be doing a lot of studying and inputting

information - learning a lot of vocabulary is there anything else you think you could do with the new

words you learn?

Extract 2

Extract 2

…you did some good work this week. I’m impressed with the reflection on your study activities and your progress.

You seem to be learning a lot of new words each week –

are these words you are interested in or related to topics you want to talk about?

Also, you seem to be doing a lot of studying and inputting

information - learning a lot of vocabulary is there anything else you think you could do with the new

words you learn?

Intuiting

Extract 2

…you did some good work this week. I’m impressed with the reflection on your study activities and your progress.

You seem to be learning a lot of new words each week –

are these words you are interested in or related to topics you want to talk about?

Also, you seem to be doing a lot of studying and inputting

information - learning a lot of vocabulary is there anything else you think you could do with the new

words you learn?

Prompting further reflection

…you did some good work this week. I’m impressed with the reflection on your study activities and your progress.

You seem to be learning a lot of new words each week –

are these words you are interested in or related to topics you want to talk about?

Also, you seem to be doing a lot of studying and inputting

information - learning a lot of vocabulary is there anything else you think you could do with the new

words you learn?

Intuiting

Extract 2

…you did some good work this week. I’m impressed with the reflection on your study activities and your progress.

You seem to be learning a lot of new words each week –

are these words you are interested in or related to topics you want to talk about?

Also, you seem to be doing a lot of studying and inputting

information - learning a lot of vocabulary is there anything else you think you could do with the new

words you learn?

Prompting further reflection

Extract 2

…you did some good work this week. I’m impressed with the reflection on your study activities and your progress.

You seem to be learning a lot of new words each week –

are these words you are interested in or related to topics you want to talk about?

Also, you seem to be doing a lot of studying and inputting

information - learning a lot of vocabulary is there anything else you think you could do with the new

words you learn?

Prompting further reflection Intuiting

Extract 2

Extract 3

You said that you did not get much listening practice because the teacher waited for you to speak.

What will you change next time for the session to go better?I’m glad you find the SALC listening sheets useful.

They will help you to build your confidence! Finally, I am happy that you reviewed new words. This will help you to remember the vocabulary better.

Restating

Extract 3

You said that you did not get much listening practice because the teacher waited for you to speak.

What will you change next time for the session to go better?I’m glad you find the SALC listening sheets useful.

They will help you to build your confidence! Finally, I am happy that you reviewed new words. This will help you to remember the vocabulary better.

Prompting further reflection

Extract 3

You said that you did not get much listening practice because the teacher waited for you to speak.

What will you change next time for the session to go better?I’m glad you find the SALC listening sheets useful.

They will help you to build your confidence! Finally, I am happy that you reviewed new words. This will help you to remember the vocabulary better.

Reinforcing

Extract 3

You said that you did not get much listening practice because the teacher waited for you to speak.

What will you change next time for the session to go better?I’m glad you find the SALC listening sheets useful.

They will help you to build your confidence! Finally, I am happy that you reviewed new words. This will help you to remember the vocabulary better.

Expert opinion

Extract 3

You said that you did not get much listening practice because the teacher waited for you to speak.

What will you change next time for the session to go better?I’m glad you find the SALC listening sheets useful.

They will help you to build your confidence! Finally, I am happy that you reviewed new words. This will help you to remember the vocabulary better.

Reinforcing

Extract 3

You said that you did not get much listening practice because the teacher waited for you to speak.

What will you change next time for the session to go better?I’m glad you find the SALC listening sheets useful.

They will help you to build your confidence! Finally, I am happy that you reviewed new words. This will help you to remember the vocabulary better.

Expert opinion

Extract 3

You said that you did not get much listening practice because the teacher waited for you to speak.

What will you change next time for the session to go better?I’m glad you find the SALC listening sheets useful.

They will help you to build your confidence! Finally, I am happy that you reviewed new words. This will help you to remember the vocabulary better.

Expert opinion Reinforcing Prompting further reflection

Restating

Extract 4

It isn’t very clear in part 3 which things were S, U, R, and E. It is also unclear to whether you used pronouns more

effectively after all the work you did. When you write your diary for next week, could you show

the S. U. R. E. part, please? Also…. What are the five sentence patterns and how well can

you use these now? Sorry for all the questions!

Extract 4

It isn’t very clear in part 3 which things were S, U, R, and E. It is also unclear to whether you used pronouns more

effectively after all the work you did. When you write your diary for next week, could you show

the S. U. R. E. part, please? Also…. What are the five sentence patterns and how well can

you use these now? Sorry for all the questions!

Reorienting

Extract 4

It isn’t very clear in part 3 which things were S, U, R, and E. It is also unclear to whether you used pronouns more

effectively after all the work you did. When you write your diary for next week, could you show

the S. U. R. E. part, please? Also…. What are the five sentence patterns and how well can

you use these now? Sorry for all the questions!

Directive

Extract 4

It isn’t very clear in part 3 which things were S, U, R, and E. It is also unclear to whether you used pronouns more

effectively after all the work you did. When you write your diary for next week, could you show

the S. U. R. E. part, please? Also…. What are the five sentence patterns and how well can

you use these now? Sorry for all the questions!

Prompting further reflection

Extract 4

It isn’t very clear in part 3 which things were S, U, R, and E. It is also unclear to whether you used pronouns more

effectively after all the work you did. When you write your diary for next week, could you show

the S. U. R. E. part, please? Also…. What are the five sentence patterns and how well can

you use these now? Sorry for all the questions!

Prompting further reflection Directive Reorienting

Reorienting

Next Steps…

What patterns can be seen in less or more directive advising styles?

Are there significant differences in advisor styles between input-based reflections (FSM) & reflections on learner-generated content (LHL)?

Any questions…

Thanks for listening!

jomynard@gmail.comthornton.katherine@gmail.com