L2 writing processes and language learning in individual and collaborative conditions

This chapter presents an overview of the major historical lines and current contributions to research into second language writing processes in individual and collaborative writing conditions, hence including computer-supported collaborative writing (CSCW) and digitally-mediated interactive writing (i.e., text chat). We start with a synthetic, historical overview of the writing and SLA perspectives on L2 writing processes. This will lead to a more focused discussion of critical issues and topics in the SLA-oriented strand, and then to a synthesis of the main contributions of extant research on the processing dimension of writing. On the basis of these analyses, we outline implications for practice and formulate suggestions for future work in the domain.