Classroom Talk: Why Instructors Say What They Say in Class
bis
Georgia, Georgia
This workshop explores classroom talk as purposeful language, focusing on why university instructors say what they say when lecturing and interacting with students. Rather than viewing classroom language simply as a means of delivering content, the workshop considers how instructors use language to explain, clarify, emphasize, organize information, guide students’ attention, check understanding, ask questions, respond to contributions, and manage interaction. Particular attention will be given to the recurring words, phrases, and multi-word combinations that characterize instructional talk and help instructors accomplish these different classroom functions. Participants will examine authentic classroom language and consider how greater awareness of commonly used expressions and their functions can contribute to more effective and engaging classroom communication.