Metalanguage in L1 English-speaking 12-year-olds: Which Aspects of Writing Do They Talk About?

Abstract

Traditional psycholinguistic approaches to metalinguistic awareness in L1 learners elicit responses containing metalanguage that demonstrates metalinguistic awareness of pre-determined aspects of language knowledge. This paper, which takes a more ethnographic approach, demonstrates how pupils are able to engage their own focus of metalanguage when reflecting on their everyday learning activities involving written language. What is equally significant is what their metalanguage choices reveal about their understanding and application of written language concepts.

Keywords:

• metalanguage
• metalinguistic awareness
• writing
• written language