THE LITTLE WORDS THAT MATTER: DISCOURSE MARKERS IN TEACHER TALK
Abstract: The aim of this
paper is to discuss one specific aspect of classroom interaction and language
use in language
classroom, namely discourse
markers (DMs). This research
uses case study
method. Using data
obtained from two
English teachers teaching six EFL
classrooms in a high school in Surakarta, this study describes the occurrence
and textual functions of DMs used by the teachers. The data analysis reveals that
there are 19 types of DMs, either in English, Indonesian, or Javanese language,
used by both teachers in their classroom talk. This paper also provides an
account of a number of textual functions fulfilled by those DMs which may
contribute greatly to the coherent and smooth flow of the discourse
organization generated in classroom interaction. The fact that DMs are valuable
resources to facilitate the structuring of classroom discourse suggests that
there should be an increasing awareness of English teachers about the use of
DMs in teacher talk.
Author: Yeni Karlina, Suparno,
Endang Setyaningsih
Journal Code: jppendidikangg150130
