Concept Teaching in Science Classrooms: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Teachers’ Talk

Abstract

Studies on science education stress that, in terms of discourse, teachers need to carefully build their understanding of science, language, and authority to better enable students to be successful in their science learning. However, the question of how much attention should be paid to this discourse, particularly for primary and middle-school students, remains controversial. This study examined the discourse of two teachers, who teach science at the primary and middle- school levels in different locations of Turkey, during concept teaching. The teachers’ ideological structures related to social and pedagogical domains were analyzed through critical discourse analysis. The results revealed certain differences between the discourse of the teachers who teach at the primary and middle-school levels. Several factors, such as the patriarchal structure of the society and curriculum, lie at the bottom of these differences.

Keywords

• concept teaching,critical discourse analysis,teacher talk

Thanks

The author wishes to thank Dr. Kemal IZCI for thoughtful suggestions on the manuscript. Also thanks Dr. Mustafa DOĞRU, who shared his knowledge and experience with author.

References

1. Alkis Kucukaydin, M. (2019). Concept teaching in science classrooms: A critical discourse analysis of teachers‟ talk. Journal of Education in Science, Environment and Health (JESEH), 5(2), 209-226.DOI:10.21891/jeseh.568813