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“Don’t Tell My Father”: Important Lessons Learned Through EFL Classroom Small Talk
"No le digan a mi padre": lecciones importantes aprendidas a través de la comunión fática en el salón de inglés como lengua extranjera
Keywords:
English as a foreign language, interpersonal language, phatic communion (en)Comunión fática, inglés como lengua extranjera, lenguaje interpersonal (es)
All too often phatic communion is neglected in the English as a foreign language classroom or relegated to the level of formulaic language which merits little or no attention. In this article we argue that phatic communion plays an important role in establishing, developing and maintaining interpersonal relationships between teacher and learners which can be seen in terms of solidarity and supportiveness. Furthermore, small talk offers one of the few opportunities for students to engage in meaningful communicative interaction in the English as a foreign language classroom which is largely characterised by non-authentic language activities. Using classroom data, we attempt to show that teachers and students actively look for ways to enhance personal relationships as they boost the face of other interactants.
En este artículo sostenemos que la "comunión fática" juega un papel importante al establecer, desarrollar y mantener las relaciones interpersonales entre maestro y alumno, lo cual puede ser visto en términos de solidaridad y apoyo. Además, la comunión fática ofrece una de las pocas oportunidades para que los estudiantes participen de manera significativa en actividades de comunicación en el aula de inglés como lengua extranjera, la cual se caracteriza por sus actividades no auténticas del lenguaje. Utilizamos la información del aula para mostrar que los maestros y alumnos buscan maneras de mantener una relación personal mientras impulsan su "imagen" entre otros interactuantes.
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Copyright (c) 2011 Gabriela Ayala González, Miguel Adrián Leonel de Cervantes Orozco, Víctor Daniel González Cabrera, Faviola Romero Mayoral, Gerrard Mugford
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