An Investigation of Controlled Corpus Consultation of Selected Formulaic Expressions in L2 Writing

Abstract

With increasing need for pedagogic mediation for the corpus use in L2 writing instruction, this study explored the potential of controlled corpus consultation of selected formulaic expressions as a pedagogic mediation to improve learners` awareness of formulaic language and L2 writing quality. This study compared the use of formulaic expressions and L2 writing quality between two groups, i.e., Controlled Corpus Consultation Group (CG) and Uncontrolled Corpus Consultation Group (UG). CG used formulaic expressions (such as extent to which) in their corpus search dealing with limited concordances on the selected expressions, while UG consulted the corpus data on the same words that comprised the formulaic expressions given to CG, but as individual words (such as extent, to, which). Types, frequency, and usage of formulaic expressions as well as overall writing quality of the two groups were subjected to statistical analysis in order to identify significant group differences. Results suggested that CG outperformed UG in terms of frequency and types of formulaic expressions as well as overall quality of writing. Findings of this study suggested that the controlled corpus consultation on selected formulaic expressions improved learners` general awareness of formulaic language and writing proficiency in L2.