Which term describes an interaction where language learners work toward the correct form in a meaningful context, and the teacher guides rather than directly supplying the form?

• A. Negotiation of form
• B. Noticing hypothesis
• C. Obligatory contexts
• D. Overgeneralisation

Answer: (A)

Negotiation of form happens when learners try to express themselves in a meaningful exchange and encounter a requirement for a correct linguistic form. The teacher then guides the learner through the process with prompts, reformulations, or clarification requests rather than directly supplying the form, so the learner arrives at the right structure through interaction. This keeps communication meaningful while fostering accuracy.

For example, a learner might say, “He go to school yesterday,” and the teacher prompts or models a correction in a way that helps the learner reformulate to “He went to school yesterday.”

Noticing hypothesis is about learners noticing language forms in input, often before or without interactive correction. Obligatory contexts refer to situations where a particular form must be used to convey meaning. Overgeneralisation is about applying a rule beyond its proper context.