Speech Acts in Classroom Interaction: A Pragmatic Study of Senior High School Teachers in Manado, Indonesia

Anis Komariah (UIN Sultan Aji Muhammad Idris Samarinda)
Nur Halimah (IAIN Manado)
Ahsan Ullah (University of Loralai, Balochistan, Pakistan)

Jurnal Ilmiah Iqra'
Vol 20, No 1 (2026)

This study examines speech acts used by senior high school English teachers during the pre-activity stage of classroom interaction in Manado Regency, Indonesia. A qualitative descriptive design was employed to analyze teacher talk in authentic EFL classrooms. Data were collected through classroom observations and audio recordings involving two teachers from SMA Negeri 7 Manado and MAN Model Manado. The analysis was based on Searle's speech act taxonomy, comprising directive, representative, expressive, commissive, and declarative acts. The findings show that directive acts dominate in both classrooms, mainly for managing routines and ensuring student readiness. Expressive acts build rapport and classroom atmosphere, while assertive acts are more prominent in the MAN Model Manado for presenting lesson objectives. Commissive and declarative acts occur minimally. The study highlights variations in teacher pragmatic choices influenced by pedagogical style and contributes to understanding classroom pragmatics in EFL contexts.