NEW FORMS OF NEGOTIATING MEANING ON THE MOVE: THE USE OF MOBILE-BASED CHATTING FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE DISTANCE LEARNING

This article analyzes the adequacy of mobile chatting via WhatsApp for the enhancement of a type of spontaneous and colloquial written interaction that has a strong connection with oral discourse. This is part of a research project undertaken with Spanish students of German as a foreign language with a beginner’s or quasi-beginner’s level. The article describes the context and parameters of this learning experience and the methodology followed. Then, an analysis of the results is undertaken in terms of student response, attitude and participation, and also in terms of the meaning negotiation strategies and language used by the participants. Finally, conclusions are drawn regarding the adequacy of the WhatsApp technology for the practice and improvement of interactive skills for foreign language students at the initial learning levels