Questioning modifications in classroom interaction

Abstract

This study investigates the use of four questioning modifications in EFL classroom as proposed by Chaudron (1988); these are repetition, narrowing by means of clues, rephrasing with alternative or “or-choice” questions and wait-time. The investigation was carried out in a private senior high school in Banda Aceh by conducting six sessions (480 minutes) of direct observations. The classroom interaction between an English teacher and fourteen female students in each session was video recorded. The result of analysis on teacher’s questioning modifications showed that narrowing by means of clues was dominantly used by the teacher to modify questions in the classroom. The use of narrowing by means of clues was intended to describe the question clearly in order to make the students more understand.