Supporting learner agency in opinion writing: Investigation with culturalism by J.S. Bruner

Abstract

  This study examines the support needed to realize learner agency in opinion writing tasks with Bruner’s (1991) discussion of culturalism, focusing on the possibility that learners may find it difficult to demonstrate their agency in opinion writing because of decontextualization of opinion writing tasks under the influence of the learning environment. The analysis reveals the problems of intervention instruction by presenting rhetorical expressions and points out that (1) learners have little opportunity for self-reflection and (2) the master-subordinate relationship between the instructor and learners may decontextualize the opinion writing task and limit the learner agency. In the discussion, this study argues the importance of the instructor’s participation in the dialogue and response on an equal footing so that the learners can face and overcome the difficulties of writing opinions.