Speech Acts in the EFL Classroom: The Case of Kosova

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate speech acts performed by two Access teachers at Mati Logoreci Primary School in Prizren, Kosovo (T1 and T2). This study utilized a qualitative descriptive approach, and the data were collected through recording and note taking. These methods were used to collect the data in order to achieve the aims of this study: 1) types of speech acts and 2) frequency of speech acts performed by teachers. The researcher used Searle’s taxonomy of five types of illocutionary acts to analyze 60 utterances performed by Access teachers. The results showed that there were four classifications of speech acts performed by both teachers: representatives (28.3%), directives (41.7%), expressives (20%), commissives (10%), and no declarations (0%). The study revealed that directives and representatives were the most dominant acts performed by both teachers. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that further studies should be conducted in other settings to obtain more comprehensive data regarding speech acts.

Keywords: Access program, EFL classrooms, EFL teachers, pragmatics, speech acts

DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/85-01

Publication date: January 31^st 2022