The Differential Diagnostic Affordances of Interventionist and Interactionist Dynamic Assessment for L2 Argumentative Writing

Taking a case study approach, this study investigated the differential potentials of interactionist and interventionist Dynamic Assessment (DA) as diagnostic tools for the investigation of the difficulties faced by five Farsi-speaking learners of English argumentative writing. The study was conducted as part of an EFL academic writing course which aimed to improve learners’ ability to present strong arguments based on a revised version of Toulmin’s model (Qin, 2009). The focus of the study was on the process rather than the product of learning, with the aim of gaining insights into the diagnostic nature of DA to address persistent problems these learners had been shown to have, as confirmed by their instructor. Data were collected via individualized sessions between the mediator and the learners, randomly assigned into interactionist (n=3) and interventionist (n=2) DA groups. Qualitative analysis of transcribed interactions evidenced that interactionist DA could provide more nuanced understandings of the learners’ ZPDs in relation to the components of Toulmin’s model. Suggestions for further research have been made.