Bambang Ruby S, NIM: 0203513037, Smester 1

PPs Unnes Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris (Kelas Khusus) 2013/2014

HANDOUT 5
Research in English Language Teaching
(Interaction Analysis)

Activity 1
What is relationship between interaction and input?
Input is one of the most important elements in the process of second language
acquisition. Almost all approaches, models, theories, and explanations on Second
Language Acquisition have highlighted the importance of input.
What is meant by negotiated interaction, and why is it necessary?
Negotiated interaction is the modifications that accur in conversation between competent speaker and lesscompetent speaker. The interactional adjustment include a whole range of attempts which necessary to
understand and to be understood.
What kinds of processes are involved in the interaction negotiation?
Processes which are involved in the interaction negotiation are comprehension checks, confirmation checks,
clarification checks.
Comprehension Checks refers to speakers query of interlocutor to see if they have understood what was said.
Confirmation Checks refers to speakers query of whether or not speaker understanding what interlocutor
means.
Clarification Checks refers to request for further information to help understand something.

How does the less competent speaker contribute to the input comprehension?
Less competent speaker contributes to the input comprehension by providing feedback of their comprehension.
In what way are turn distribution and turn taking important in the process of
classroom interaction?
Turn distribution and turn taking are important in the process of classroom interaction in the way that teacher can
give fair share of talk to students by direct nomination or personal solicit as well as open to the whole class (as
general solicit) so that there is a balance between the better communicator and the less.
In what way is the Foreign Language interaction analysis (Flint) system devised
by Moskowits (1971) as found on p. 204-5 of this selection more (or less)
preferable to the deviced by Flanders (p. 203-4)?

Language interaction analysis (Flint) system derived by Moskowits (1971) seems to be more preferable as it
categorizes clearly on the purpose and result of interaction (teacher-students).
Activity 2
What are the main characteristics distinguishing interactions analysis from
discourse analysis and conversation analysis?
The main characteristics distinguishing interaction analysis from discourse analysis and conversation analysis are
on the units of analysis. The interaction analysis covers linguistic as well as non-linguistic features. Whereas,
discourse analysis emphasizes on rhetorical and conversation on social routines.
What are the possible methods for generating data in interaction analysis?
Explain each method!
The possible methods for generating data in interaction analysis are:
Eliciting that is the data collected through some form of elicitation, either personal or general.
Naturalistic means that the data are collected based on natural sample.
In the typical child-adult interaction, what significant roles does the adult
participant play?
In the typical child-adult interaction, significant roles that the adult participant play are initiating interaction and
draw attention to what currently becomes the interest. The adults should focus on the meaning not form. The
adults can facilitate the process of interaction by providing conversation scaffolds for child (learner). The child
is then allowed to take the lead and adult follows and supports.
Study the expert of dentist-patient interaction reported by Candlin, Coleman,
and Burton (1983) as found on p. 173 of this selection, and give your comment
on the reliability, validity, and objectivity of the analysis.
The excerpt of dentist-patient interaction reported by Candlin, Coleman, and Burton (1983) as found on p. 173 of
this selection. It is a form of ethnography which has weakness in reliability as well as validity. The analysis is not
reliable because the researcher used transactional interaction analysis to analyze a causal conversation.

In the context of TEFL for adult learners, a study involving interaction may have
the following design:
a)

the subjects: Talking about a flood

b) the objectives: to discuss about cause and effect of flood.

c)

the data gathering techniques: recording the conversation on tape.

d) the data analysis technique: Interpretive.

e)

the expected result:

students interact and learn vocabulary about flood

pragmatic functions are acquired
students learn discourse through interaction