An Analysis of Classroom Discourse

Abstract

This thesis entitled "An Analysis of Classroom Discourse" was carried out to find out some of the basic features of classroom discourses. The main objective of the study was to make an analysis of opening, repair, overlapping, pause and closing of classroom conversations and to present the frequency of above mentioned parts. To fulfil the set objectives of the study, both primary and secondary sources of data were used. For the collection of primary data a tape recorder cum player was used. The researcher recorded 15 classroom conversations for the study. After analyzing the data it was found out that most of the classroom conversations started with greeting like "good morning/afternoon" and ended with the terms like "thank you". It was also found out that the frequency of overlap is less than the frequency of pause in classroom conversations. This thesis consists of four chapters: Introduction, Methodology, Analysis and Interpretation and Findings and Recommendations. The first chapter is introductory in nature. It includes general background, introduction to conversation analysis. It also includes literature review, objectives of the study, definitions of the specific terms used in the research. The second chapter deals with the methodology adopted during the study. In the preparation of this thesis, both primary and secondary sources of data have been taken into account. Sampling procedure, tools for data collection and the limitations of the study are also mentioned. Similarly, the third chapter deals with the analysis and interpretation of the classroom conversation. The last chapter deals with the findings of the study and some suggestions made on the basis of findings. In the final part of the thesis references and appendices have been included systematically.