Peer Interaction and Learning

Peer learning is discussed as an educational practice and as an interactional framework fostering learning in many forms of life. The educational domains where peer learning is effective include school subjects and social skills. The degree of success achievable with peer learning in schools can depend on many contextual and personal factors. The gains of peer learning in natural settings are evident in sibling care in traditional societies, second-language acquisition by young children, and child-to-child talk in various contexts. Arguably, the common denominator in all cases considered is verbal communication – it follows that the quality of talk is an essential component of its potential success.