Skip to main content

ETHNOS_APP

Home • Search • Journals • List 0

The organization of turns at formal talk in the classroom

Bibliographic Data

ID2853783
AuthorsAlexander Mchoul
Year1978
Volume7
Issue2
Pages183-213
Publication date1978-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLanguage in Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0047-4045 • E-ISSN: 1469-8013
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0047404500005522
OpenAlexW2113835684
LanguageEN
Citations received238
References cited11

Beginning with a consideration of some commonsense and professional conceptions of what a formal situation might comprise, this paper goes on to ask the question: where along a linear array which has its poles in exemplars of formal and informal speech-exchange systems, can classroom talk be placed? Its answer is given in part in the form of rules for the taking of turns in classrooms, these being modifications of those, already established in the literature, for natural conversation. These rules allow for and require that formal classroom situations be constructed so as to involve differential participation rights for parties to the talk depending on their membership of the social identity-class 'student/teacher'. The analyses which follow examine some of the applications and violations of these rules found in audio and video recordings of naturally occurring classroom talk (and transcripts thereof) for their orderliness as orientations to these rules. It is argued that the rules provide a systematic basis for the 'feelings' of 'formality' that researchers and participants have of such situations and that a decision as to the 'formality' or otherwise of a social situation can be predicated on the degree of pre-allocation involved in the organization of turns at talk in the situation. (Configuration and distance in interaction, conversational analysis, turn-taking systems, classroom language, sociology of education; British and Australian English

Aesthetics · Class (philosophy) · Conversation · Epistemology · Feeling · Formality · Identity (music) · Linguistics · Natural (archaeology) · Orderliness · Sociology · Artificial Intelligence · Communication · Computer Science · Discourse Analysis in Language Studies · Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies · Language, Metaphor, and Cognition · Psychology · Social Psychology

  • Das Timing der lokalen Interaktionsordnung in universitären Settings

    Open Access•Tanya Tyagunova•ZQF – Zeitschrift für Qualitative…•2015

  • Preference and embodiment in an oral preschool classroom

    Kristella Montiegel•Research on Children and Social…•2023

  • Asking for more

    Annerose Willemsen, Myrte N Gosen et al.•Research on Children and Social…•2021

  • Prosodic imitation as a means of receiving and displaying a critical stance in classroom interaction

    Liisa Tainio•Text and Talk•2012

  • Redefining the teacher's positioning as gatekeeper in a Portuguese as a Foreign Language class in Macau

    Ricardo Moutinho•Journal of Multicultural Discourses•2013

  • The Constitution of Expert-Novice in Scientific Discourse

    Sally Jacoby, Patrick Gonzales•Issues in Applied Linguistics•1991

  • Mixed genres in lecture room discourse

    Open Access•Jet van Dam-van Isselt•Linguistics in the Netherlands•2009

  • Syntactic and Prosodic Practices for Cohesion in Series of Three-Part Sequences in Classroom Talk

    John Hellermann•Research on Language and Social…•2005

  • What to Learn

    Aug Nishizaka•Research on Language and Social…•2006

  • Linguistic aspects in asymmetrical institutional interaction

    Open Access•Koprivica-Lelicanin Marija, Suvakovic Aleksandra et al.•Glasnik Etnografskog instituta•2011

  • Muy bien” as a transition token in teacher-student interactions in the Spanish as a foreign language classroom

    Open Access•Jaume Batlle•System•2020

  • Inequality in Professional Service Encounters

    Peter Eglin, Doug Wideman•Zeitschrift für Soziologie•1986

  • Taking Turns and Taking Sides

    John F Manzo, John Manzo•Social Psychology Quarterly•1996

  • Sequential and Institutional Contexts in Calls for Help

    Marilyn R Whalen, Don H Zimmerman•Social Psychology Quarterly•1987

  • Usted estaba como Confucio, andaba confundido

    Open Access•Óscar Iván Londoño Zapata•Cadernos de Linguagem e Sociedade•2010

  • Reparo visual em um curso de contação de histórias em Português como Língua Adicional

    Open Access•Yihui Chen, Ricardo Moutinho•Revista de Estudos da Linguagem•2024

  • Sobre o discurso da construção do conhecimento

    Open Access•Kazue Saito Monteiro De Barros•Linha D'Água•2011

  • Ethnomethodologie et Education

    Antoine Hennion, Arthur Coulon et al.•Contemporary Sociology A Journal…•1994

  • Respecifying Display Questions

    Yo-An Lee•TESOL Quarterly•2006

  • Language and Schooling

    Hugh Mehan•Sociology of Education•1984

  • Standardized Testing as an Interactional Phenomenon

    Courtney L Marlaire, D W Maynard•Sociology of Education•1990

  • The Effect of Teacher Strategies on Students’ Interactive Writing

    Joy Kreeft Peyton, Mulugetta Seyoum•Research in the Teaching of English•1989

  • The Study of Social Interaction in Educational Settings

    Open Access•Hugh Mehan•Human Development•1998

  • Turn-Taking Strategies Used in a New Zealand Radio Interview Programme and Pedagogical Implications in Language Classrooms

    Open Access•Thi Hong Phuong Cao, Cao Thi Hong Phuong et al.•VNU Journal of Foreign Studies•2020

  • Indexes, power, and netdoms

    Open Access•Jorge Fontdevila•Poetics•2010

  • Conversation Analysis and Education

    Open Access•Tom Koole•Encyclopedia of Applied Linguistics•2026

  • Conversation Analysis and Institutional Interaction

    Open Access•L Mondada•Encyclopedia of Applied Linguistics•2026

  • Interpretative Unterrichtsforschung — eine Zwischenbilanz und einige Zwischenfragen

    Georg Breidenstein•Forum Qualitative Schulforschung 2•2002

  • Dokumentarische Forschung zu schulischem Unterricht. Relationierungen und Perspektiven

    Tobias Bauer, Hilke Pallesen•Dokumentarische Forschung zu…•2024

  • Reconceptualising Agency and Childhood

    Open Access•Meike Baader, Florian Eßer et al.•Reconceptualising Agency and…•2016

  • Using Explicit Positive Assessment in the Language Classroom

    Open Access•H Z Waring•Modern Language Journal•2008

  • Classroom Talks

    Open Access•Numa Markee, G Kasper•Modern Language Journal•2004

  • Classroom dialogue

    Christine Howe, Manzoorul Abedin•Cambridge Journal of Education•2013

  • Ethnomethodologische Konversationsanalyse

    John Bergmann, Jörg Bergmann•Sprachwissenschaft•2019

  • Ethnomethodologische Konversationsanalyse

    J Bergmann•Sprachwissenschaft•2010

  • Indexing Priority of Position

    Elisabeth Betz, Arnulf Deppermann•Research on Language and Social…•2018

  • Routine Trouble

    Polly Björk-Willén•Applied Linguistics•2008

  • Doing Being Playful in the Second Language Classroom

    H Z Waring•Applied Linguistics•2013

  • Ethnomethodology

    Paul Atkinson•Annual Review of Sociology•1988

  • Zur Multimodalität von Unterstützungsinteraktion

    Reinhold Schmitt•Deutsche Sprache•2012

  • The agency of language in institutional talk

    L Caronia, Franca Orletti•Language and Dialogue•2019

  • Gaining access to another participant’s writing in the classroom

    Teppo Jakonen•Language and Dialogue•2016

  • Discourse in an EFL setting

    Open Access•Badar Almuhailib•Linguistics and Culture Review•2021

  • Talk Show Hosting Turn-Allocation Techniques in Jimmy Kimmel Live

    Open Access•I Gusti Ngurah Ratnadi, Putu Nur Ayomi et al.•Journal of Language and Literature•2022

  • A social interactional lens on pedagogical translanguaging

    Open Access•Rizwan Ul Huq, Alia Amir•Frontiers in Education•2026

  • Showing and telling—How directors combine embodied demonstrations and verbal descriptions to instruct in theater rehearsals

    Open Access•Axel Schmidt, Arnulf Deppermann•Frontiers in Communication•2023

  • Critical thinking from the ground up

    Open Access•Li Li•Teachers and Teaching•2023

  • Les réunions et leurs épisodes formatifs

    Open Access•Augustin Lefebvre•Les carnets du Cediscor•2024

  • Producing and closing down multiple-response sequences during whole-class talk in an early years classroom

    C Davidson, Christine Edwards‐Groves•Language and Education•2020

  • On authentic questions in academic writing tutorials

    Open Access•Eva Ogiermann, Ursula Wingate•Linguistics and Education•2024

  • The workings of multiple principles in student-teacher interactions

    Open Access•Mieke Breukelman, Myrte N Gosen et al.•Linguistics and Education•2023

  • Answering vs. exploring

    Open Access•Junko Takahashi•Linguistics and Education•2021

  • Students’ unsolicited initiations in a science classroom as displays of competence

    Open Access•Anna Filipi, Amanda Berry et al.•Linguistics and Education•2022

  • Orientations to teaching in reflective talk

    Open Access•Emir Ertunç Havadar•Linguistics and Education•2024

  • The interactional consequences of asking for opinions about literature in Dutch oral exams

    Open Access•Eline Wagelaar, W Stommel et al.•Linguistics and Education•2025

  • Student-to-student hand-on-shoulder touch as an embodied response to reproach and critical teacher evaluation

    Open Access•Liisa Tainio, Pilvi Heinonen•Linguistics and Education•2021

  • Peer-to-peer-talk in whole-classroom discussions

    Open Access•Johanna Van Balen, Myrte N Gosen et al.•International Journal of…•2024

  • Hypothetical situations as a pedagogical resource in social studies and history lessons at primary school

    Open Access•Nergiz KARDAŞ İŞLER, Myrte N Gosen et al.•International Journal of…•2024

  • Classroom complexity affects student teachers’ behavior in a VR classroom

    Open Access•Yizhen Huang, Elise Richter et al.•Computers & Education•2021

  • Language games and their types

    Open Access•Jonathan Ginzburg, Kwong-Cheong Wong•Linguistics and Philosophy•2024

  • Teachers’ multimodal resources for delegated peer repair

    Open Access•Jaume Batlle, Natalia Evnitskaya•Modern Language Journal•2024

  • L2 Classroom Input and L2 Positionally Sensitive Grammars

    Open Access•Joan Kelly Hall•Modern Language Journal•2022

  • Claiming insufficient knowledge in pairwork and groupwork classroom activities

    Open Access•Tom Sherman, Tamah Sherman et al.•Learning Culture and Social…•2023

  • “Yes, you can”

    Open Access•Adrienne Lynett, Adrienne Lynett Lynett•Learning Culture and Social…•2019

  • Discursive practices in family dinner talk and classroom discourse

    Vivien Heller•Learning Culture and Social…•2014

  • Uncovering the pedagogical potential of texts

    Open Access•Ulla Karvonen, Liisa Tainio et al.•Learning Culture and Social…•2018

  • Monitoring and evaluating body knowledge

    M Stevanovic•Linguistics Vanguard•2021

  • “Can I say something?”

    Beatrice Szczepek Reed•Pragmatics and Society•2017

  • The practice of (re)formulating in classroom interaction

    Charikleia Kapellidi•Pragmatics and Society•2015

  • Shared reading at kindergarten

    Myrte N Gosen, Jan Berenst et al.•Pragmatics and Society•2015

  • Opportunities for learning during storybook reading at preschool

    Amelia Church•Applied Linguistics Review•2010

  • Analysing cinematic discourse using conversation analysis

    Open Access•Neda Chepinchikj, Celia Thompson•Discourse Context & Media•2016

  • Building axiological affiliation in televised Chinese job interviews

    Wenchao Zhao•Text and Talk•2020

  • Praising the client in career guidance

    Open Access•Sanna Vehviläinen, L Voutilainen•Text and Talk•2025

  • The interplay between agency and constraint

    Charikleia Kapellidi•Text and Talk•2015

  • The accomplishment of rights, obligations and other expectations

    Open Access•Patricia Jimenez•Ethnography & Education•2026

  • Field notes

    Herbert Kalthoff•Distinktion Journal of Social…•2013

  • Researching ‘practiced language policies’

    Open Access•Florence Bonacina-Pugh•Language Policy•2012

  • Transcription Matters

    Open Access•C Davidson•Journal of Early Childhood Research•2010

  • The interactive assembly of social identity

    Peter Freebody, Paul Herschell•International Journal of…•2000

  • Singing in “another” language

    Sara Merlino•Social Semiotics•2014

  • Gender as positioned identity maintenance in everyday discourse

    Pam Nilan•Social Semiotics•1994

  • The emergence of learnables in music masterclasses

    Darren Reed, Darren J Reed et al.•Social Semiotics•2014

  • The conversational skills of school‐aged children

    Open Access•Sara Sehley, Catherine E Snow et al.•Social Development•1992

  • Reproduction, Resistance and Gender in Educational Discourse

    Open Access•Victoria L Bergvall, Kathryn Remlinger et al.•Discourse & Society•1996

  • Symmetry in interaction in meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous

    Open Access•Seán O’Halloran•Discourse & Society•2005

  • A Lesson on Sex Roles

    Carolyn D Baker, Carolyn Baker et al.•Gender and Education•1989

  • Resuming

    Douglas Macbeth•International Journal of…•1994

  • The Organization of Primary School Children's On-Task and Off-Task Talk in a Small Group Setting

    Joanna Thornborrow•Research on Language and Social…•2003

  • Clients' and Therapist's Joint Construction of the Clients' Problems

    Richard Buttny•Research on Language and Social…•1996

  • Reduction and Specialization in Emergency and Directory Assistance Calls

    Michele Wakin, Michele A Wakin et al.•Research on Language and Social…•1999

  • On action type labels

    Open Access•Axel Schmidt, Arnulf Deppermann•Research on Language and Social…•2026

  • Manual Guiding in Peer Group Interaction

    Leila Kääntä, Arja Piirainen-Marsh•Research on Language and Social…•2013

  • On the topic of conversation as a speech event

    John Wilson•Research on Language and Social…•1987

  • On Designedly Incomplete Utterances

    Piera Margutti•Research on Language and Social…•2010

  • Classroom Interaction Research

    R Gardner•Research on Language and Social…•2019

  • Combining analytical tools to inform practice in school-based professional experience

    Open Access•J J Harris, Jessica Harris et al.•Journal of Pragmatics•2018

  • Quick body torque toward blackboard at third position

    Open Access•M Ishino, Aya Watanabe•Journal of Pragmatics•2025

  • Striking the balance between formality and informality in safety-critical communication

    Open Access•Mats Andrén, Johan M Sanne et al.•Journal of Pragmatics•2009

  • Assuming Transmission or Studying Production

    James L Heap•Curriculum Inquiry•1986

  • Studies in ethnomethodology

    Harold Garfinkel•Studies in ethnomethodology•1984

  • Directions in sociolinguistics

    Dell H Hymes, Dell Hymes et al.•Directions in sociolinguistics•1986

  • Explorations in the Ethnography of Speaking

    Open Access•Richard Bauman, Joel Sherzer•Explorations in the Ethnography…•1989

  • Studies in Social Interaction

    Christopher Jenks•Studies in Social Interaction•2014

  • Proxemics [and Comments and Replies]

    Edward T Hall, Everette Hall et al.•Current Anthropology•1968

  • A Case of Precision Timing in Ordinary Conversation

    Open Access•Gail Jefferson•Semiotica•1973

  • Opening up Closings

    Open Access•Emanuel A Schegloff, Harvey Sacks•Semiotica•1973

  • Towards an Analysis of Natural Conversation and the Sense of Heheh

    Open Access•James Norton Schenkein•Semiotica•1972

  • A Simplest Systematics for the Organization of Turn-Taking for Conversation

    Open Access•Harvey Sacks, Emanuel A Schegloff et al.•Language•2025

  • The organization of turns at formal talk in the classroom

    Open Access•Alexander Mchoul•Language in Society•1978

  • Sequencing in Conversational Openings1

    Open Access•Emanuel A Schegloff•American Anthropologist•1968

Unique citing works238
Citations per year4,96
Citation span1978 - 2026 (49)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedYes
Citation typesNeutral: 215

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub
Ethnos_APP • Open Source Project • MIT License • Frontend v2.0.0 • Privacy and Cookies • API Documentation: api.ethnos.app/docs • API Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17049435 • Frontend Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17050053 • cruz.rio.br • Expectantes Misericordiae