Private speech by beginner-level Japanese language learners in their L1

Its types in classroom discourse

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to propose a classification of private speech (hereafter PS) by L1 (First Language), based on the form of PS and the context before and after the PS, in order to clarify the function of PS in the L1 in Japanese language classroom from the perspective of sociocultural theory. With this purpose, I collected 22 hours of data on classroom discourse in Japanese language classes for Thai and Vietnamese technical intern trainees, and classified PS by L1. The types of PS in the L1 were classified as follows: direct translation of another's speech, reading out in the L1, translation for confirmation of understanding, translation for understanding, expression of understanding including translation, substitution of target language, expression of thoughts for problem solving, expression of recognition of own errors, expression of thoughts for guiding own speech, expression of thoughts to promote own understanding, expression of thoughts about things and events, expression of feelings about things and events. Finally, I discussed the reasons why the PS was occurred and its impact on learning.