The social practice of silence in intercultural classrooms at a UK university

Wang, S., Moskal, M. and Schweisfurth, M. (2022) The social practice of silence in intercultural classrooms at a UK university. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 52(4), pp. 600-617. (doi: 10.1080/03057925.2020.1798215)

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Abstract

The paper offers an examination of the dynamics between silence, agency and power for students and instructors in intercultural classrooms at a UK university. Silent students are often stereotyped as passive learners or incompetent in critical thinking, lacking interest or having insufficient understanding. Despite the devaluation of silence, research reveals its significant role in pedagogy and its foundations in culture. The paper explores second language (L2) postgraduate international students’ classroom experiences and voices behind the silence in comparison with their peers’ and instructors’ perceptions and interpretations of students’ lack of vocal participation. Challenging talk as the privileged form of classroom communication mode, we argue for a better understanding of L2 international students’ participation and call for recognition of the pedagogical merits of silence and legitimate some forms of it as a pattern of participation.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work was supported by the China Scholarship Council.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Wang, Sihui and Schweisfurth, Professor Michele and Moskal, Professor Marta
Creator Roles:
Wang, S.Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Investigation, Writing – original draft
Moskal, M.Conceptualization, Supervision, Writing – review and editing
Schweisfurth, M.Supervision, Writing – review and editing
Authors: Wang, S., Moskal, M., and Schweisfurth, M.
Subjects:H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
L Education > LB Theory and practice of education
L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Education
College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Culture, Literacies, Inclusion & Pedagogy
College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Educational Leadership & Policy
Journal Name:Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education
Publisher:Taylor & Francis
ISSN:0305-7925
ISSN (Online):1469-3623
Published Online:27 July 2020
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 British Association for International and Comparative Education
First Published:First published in Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education 52(4): 600-1617
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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