A Case Study of College Teacher's Politeness Strategy in EFL Classroom

Abstract

In the process of teaching and learning activity, teachers' language plays a very important role in EFL classroom, such as teachers' academic instructions, motivating the class and evaluating students. No exaggeration to say that teachers' language is indispensable to effective communication in class. Adopting Brown and Levinson's politeness strategies through class observation, the researcher aims to reveal how the teacher applies politeness strategies to his teaching practice in the language use. Through analyzing the data collected, the researcher finds out the college teacher conducts his class on term of positive politeness and negative politeness in a practical way. Evidently the adoption of politeness strategies shortens the teacher-student social distance, makes the class interesting, and in turn facilitates English teaching and learning.