The Three Functions of Output in Action
Read the following scenario and then identify the three functions of output as they occur.
A student in SLA class is trying to explain how self-esteem relates to success.
She is having difficulty and is reluctant to speak at first because she is not sure what forms she has to use to express her ideas.
She says…
A student has self-esteem have a success and student have a success, self-esteem.
The teacher isn’t sure of the meaning of the answer so he asks for clarification…
Students with a high self-esteem will be more successful?
Student answers…
Yes… will be more successful
Also more successful student get more self-esteem.
The teacher finally recasts the whole sentence while the learner listens carefully…
So, if a student has a high self-esteem, then she will be more successful, and if she is successful then her self-esteem will get even higher.
The student responds by saying…
Yes… even higher self-esteem
After listening to the way her teacher recasted her sentence, the learner thinks about the form "If - then" and tries to remember how the teacher used it. Later she uses it in her writing on focus questions.
