Using Humor in Language Classrooms: Greasing the Wheels or Putting a Spanner in the Works? A Study on Humor Styles of Turkish EFL Instructors

Year 2019, , 23 - 39, 24.03.2019

Mehdi Solhi Andarab , Aynur Kesen Mutlu

https://doi.org/10.32601/ejal.543776

Cited By: 3

Abstract

Humor has often been seen as an
important element in the learning process, facilitating both teaching and
learning. Nevertheless, the utilization of humor in the educational setting has
had its opponents. In recent years, many attempts have been made to
conceptualize the various forms of humor implemented in the practice of
education. Despite a myriad of studies aimed at linking humor with personality
traits, there seem a dearth number of research studies addressing the multifaceted
humor styles of EFL instructors while interacting with the students in the classroom.
There have been a number
of scales thought-up in order to best assess the humor styles of the
individual. However, the one identified by Martin et al.
(2003) attempts to deal
with the functions of humor, rather than particular personalities it may or may
not represent. The four specific humor styles identified in this
scale encompass two benign (affiliative and
self-enhancing), and two injurious (aggressive and self-defeating) humor
styles. The present study seeks to examine the humor styles adopted by English
language instructors in Turkey by investigating (1) whether there is a
difference between male and female instructors with regard to employing humor,
(2) whether the educational level of the participants influences their tendency
to use humor while interacting with the students in the classroom, and (3)
whether the age of the instructors is an influential factor in adopting various
styles of humor. A total
of 64 English language instructors working at private and state universities in
Turkey completed a standardized form of the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ) online.
Results indicated no significant difference between
male and female instructors with regard to adopting humor styles in the
classroom. Nor were there any differences between instructors of varying
educational level in terms of the use of humor styles. In addition, no
differences were seen according to age.

Keywords

EFL classroom, Humor styles, the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ)

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