Date of Award
4-1990
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
First Advisor
Dr. James Hillenbrand
Second Advisor
Dr. Michael Clark
Third Advisor
Dr. Nickola Nelson
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
This study was designed to analyze the oral communication exchanges between first, third, and fifth grade teachers and their students. It was based on the hypothesis that discourse parameters of linguistic quantity and complexity and communication acts change over grade level, much as the discourse parameters of caregivers with young children have been found to do. The language of teachers and students in 15 classrooms was examined by measuring 6 form and quantity variables and 11 communication act variables. Results showed significant differences for some form variables (MLU, mazes, and Type-token ratio) and some communication acts (convey content, mark content, solicit students). A major purpose of the study was to gather evidence regarding the linguistic demands placed upon students that will be helpful in planning relevant language intervention services for them. The results regarding proportion of talking time will provide information about opportunities that children have to use their language skills in the classroom.
Recommended Citation
Sturm, Janet M., "Teacher and Student Discourse Variables in Academic Communication" (1990). Masters Theses. 1071.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/1071