Studies in English Language and Education
Vol 9, No 1 (2022)

The different uses of the pronoun ‘we’ by EFL teachers in classroom interaction

Muthi'ah Muthi'ah (Universitas Islam Negeri Alauddin Makassar)
Syamsul Arif Galib (Universitas Islam Negeri Alauddin Makassar)
Annisa Shofa Tsuraya (Universitas Islam Negeri Alauddin Makassar)
Multazam Abubakar (Universitas Islam Negeri Alauddin Makassar)
Nur Aliyah Nur (Universitas Islam Negeri Alauddin Makassar)
Muhammad Syahruddin Nawir (Universitas Islam Negeri Alauddin Makassar)



Article Info

Publish Date
17 Jan 2022

Abstract

The pronoun ‘we’ is understood only to refer to the first-person plural. In fact, the pronoun ‘we’ can also refer to other references. The primary purpose of this study is to examine the different uses of the pronoun ‘we’ by EFL teachers in classroom interaction. This study employed a qualitative approach by using three instruments: observation, audio-recorder, and interview in collecting the data. The subjects of this research are two English teachers and the second-grade students at a vocational high school in Makassar. The data were analyzed by formulating Miles et al.’s method of analysis. The result of this study shows that, in classroom interaction, the pronoun ‘we’ can refer to six distinct references: (1) ‘we’ that refers to speaker and more than one addressee, (2) ‘we’ that refers to speaker and more than one-third party, (3) ‘we’ that refers to speaker and indefinite group, (4) ‘we’ that indicates ‘you’, (5) ‘we’ that indicates ‘I’, and (6) ‘we’ that indicates “they”. From the interviews, the researchers found that both teachers have different reasons for using the pronoun ‘we’ in classroom interaction. The first teacher intends to use the pronoun to help him create an enjoyable learning environment and establish better relationships with the students. In contrast, the other teacher uses the pronoun ‘we’ to show politeness to the students. Despite the differences, they both seem to have the same intention of creating a positive learning environment.

Copyrights © 2022






Journal Info

Abbrev

SiELE

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

Studies in English Language and Education (SiELE) is a peer-reviewed academic journal published by the Department of English Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia. The journal presents research and development in the field of teaching ...