Classroom Discourse Analysis: A Functional Perspective

Hardback

Main Details

Title Classroom Discourse Analysis: A Functional Perspective
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Frances Christie
SeriesOpen Linguistics
Physical Properties
Format:Hardback
Pages:208
Dimensions(mm): Height 234,Width 156
Category/GenreSociolinguistics
ISBN/Barcode 9780826453730
ClassificationsDewey:410
Audience
Tertiary Education (US: College)
Professional & Vocational

Publishing Details

Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.
Publication Date 1 January 2005
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

This book offers a model of classroom discourse analysis that uses systemic functional linguistic theory and associated genre theory to develop a view of classroom episodes as "curriculum genres", some of which operate in turn as part of larger unities of work called "curriculum macrogenres". Drawing on Bernstein's work, Christie argues that two registers operate in pedagogic discourse: a regulative register, to do with the goals and directions of the discourse; and an instructional register, to do with the particular "content" or knowledge at issue. Each can be shown to be realized in distinctive clusters of choices in the grammar. The operation of the regulative register determines the initiation, pacing, sequencing and evaluation of the overall pedagogic activity. It serves to draw various fields of experience and knowledge from beyond the school (the instructional register) and to "relocate" them for the purposes of teaching and learning. The book explores the model and demonstrates the methodology of school discourse analysis in considerable detail. The methodology is set out, explained and exemplified in selections of classroom texts, both spoken and written, and over a range of subject areas, that cover the years of schooling from the preparatory or kindergarten class to the secondary school. Overall, schools emerge as major sites of symbolic control in a culture.

Author Biography

Frances Christie is Emeritus Professor of Language and Literacy Education at the University of Melbourne, Australia and Honorary Professor at the University of Sydney, Australia.