CSs episodes are identified and examined to describe how
learners and their interlocutors co-construct meaning. The data analyzed in
this study was collected at the University of Santiago through a task-based
experiment, which was both audio and video recorded. Thirty-two subjects
were paired on four different dyad conditions: four dyads of intermediate
learners, four dyads of advanced students, four dyads of intermediate
learners interacting with native speakers and, finally, four dyads of
advanced students in interaction with native speakers. For the CSs
identification process three different sources of evidence were used:
problem indicators, native language base line and retrospective interviews.
The results obtained show different kinds of communication grounding
techniques. In some cases CSs are accepted by the addressees
(acknowledgments, displays and demonstrations, initiation of a relevant
next contribution and continued attention) while in some others the initial
CS uttered by the learner is not accepted and has to be followed by a
negotiation of meaning process. The conclusions reached are mainly based
on a qualitative analysis.