CLASSROOM INTERACTION IN ESP-BASED CLASS IN DIVERSE CULTURAL CONTEXT

Abstract

Classroom Interaction takes place among the teacher and students in the classroom during the teaching and learning process. This research aims at: 1) finding out patterns of classroom interaction which occur in ESP-based class of diverse cultural context, 2) finding out which patterns of classroom interaction will be dominant, and 3) finding out the influence diverse cultural context on the classroom. A qualitative case study was the research design of this study. Observation and interview were parts of data collection of this study. There were an English teacher and 30 students of Vocational High School in Ciamis as the participants of this study. The data analysis was conducted by analyzing Transcript which was categorized into IRF – IRE pattern of classroom interaction subjected by Sinclair & Coulthard (1975) and Franke et al (2007, p.1). The result of this study revealed that the pattern IRF and IRE are practiced by the teacher. Then, the teacher and students expressed positive response. They said that learning and making interaction with the diverse culture is an interesting class. Not only discussing experiences but also discussing knowledge about the other cultural. It was concluded that the diverse cultural classroom makes the students more active in the classroom interaction. This study provided the suggestion to the teacher and students. Teachers ought to be well-prepared for a learning method that can encourage students to develop their abilities in the learning process. Students are expected to foster cultural differences well as a challenge to obtain experience and learn new knowledge received from other cultures.