“Her sentence is correct, isn't it?”: Regulative Discourse in English Medium Classrooms
Date
2019-06-26
Authors
Kiramba, Lydiah Kananu
Smith, Patrick H.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
Research on discourse in African classrooms has shown the predominance of teacher centered instruc- tional practices. Teacher centered discourse patterns have been blamed for student passivity and disengagement in knowledge production. In this article, we investigate teachers' use of the invariant tag isn't it in Kenyan primary classrooms during ELA and math lessons. Using Bernstein's pedagogical device theory, we submit that the tag plays a regulative function in classroom discourse. Based on our findings, we argue for greater attention to teachers' language choices and discuss implications for classroom discourse practice and research
Description
Keywords
multilingual learners, English medium classroom, tags, Bernstein, Kenyan education, classroom discourse, Curriculum and Instruction
Citation
Kiramba, L., & Smith, P.H. (2019). Her sentence is correct, isn’t it?”: Regulative discourse in English medium classrooms. Teaching and Teacher Education, 85, pp. 105-114.