Improving Perceived Linguistic Competence in English (L2) through Dialogic Pedagogical Gatherings

Perceived competence is considered an essential predictor of learner´s performance in language learning. It is therefore important to identify strategies that favor its development. This study aims to analyze whether the perceived linguistic competence of English as a L2 of pre-service teachers improves after implementing Dialogic Pedagogical Gatherings (DPGs), and if so, in which skills have there been improvements. Likewise, the study also pretends to identify which characteristics of the DPGs can favor this evolution. DPG is an educational strategy based on egalitarian dialogue among participants. The research involved 26 university students who participated in 8 DPGs during a whole academic year. Data was gathered qualitatively though an open-ended questionnaire and a focus group. The results show that the participants consider that they have improved their level of English after participating in the DPGs, especially in speaking and reading skills, as well as in pronunciation, listening comprehension, and confidence in using the language. They also identify some characteristics of the intervention as key to fostering this improvement: collaboration among peers, solidarity, reduced groups and classroom climate. The results with respect to this teaching strategy have implications for second language learning.