The classroom language of larger and smaller classes

Abstract

This paper compares the discourse of two parallel classes, one large and one small by investigating talking time, use of L1, use of student names, questioning, feedback, directives and discipline. The findings show that the two classes differ in terms of the use of student names and the strength and impersonality of directives. For the other issues which primarily concern teacher-student interaction, there are no clear differences between large and small classes.