Interaction in reading comprehension in the English and Igbo classroom

Abstract

This is a case study of classroom interaction of SSS1 English and Igbo in reading comprehension at Premier Secondary School, Aba, Nigeria. The purpose is to determine whether interaction in reading comprehension in English and Igbo is constrained by language in terms of interaction patterns, style and culture. The class sessions were described using Sinclair and Coulthard’s (1992) model of class interaction. The findings reveal that interaction patterns are similar. However, patterns that were specific to languages were in the form of cultural transfer, circumlocutions characteristic of Igbo as opposed to precision in English, and excessive exhibition of teacher’s authority. The study recommends that teachers in language classrooms should engage the students in interesting interactions that encourage active participation and reduce the rate of harsh responses and negative feedback as they can be inhibitive to students’ participation.