Classroom Discourse and Its Effects on Language Learning and Participation

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to address why understanding the nature of classroom discourse is important as well as explore how the classroom discourse affects student learning and participation. A body of related literature was reviewed to answer the following four queries: (a) what communicative competence in classrooms means, (b) what classroom discourse means and how various interpretations have been made on the concept of classroom discourse, (c) what roles participation structure plays in the classroom discourse, and (d) why the approach of ethnography of communication can be beneficial in the study of classroom discourse. The article ends by drawing some research suggestions and pedagogical implications. It has significance in that it may invoke practitioners and researchers to acknowledge the importance of classroom discourse and ongoing research in relation to classroom discourse.