A Comparative Study of Managing Learning Opportunity in EFL Classroom

Abstract

Learning opportunity plays a vital role in EFL classroom learning. Drawing on conversation analysis and comparison methods, focusing on correction activities in an experienced EFL teacher’s classroom and a novice EFL teacher’s classroom in China, this study aims to explore the differences in their practices of turn allocation for increasing learning opportunities. The study finds that the experienced teacher designs more rich turn allocation, that is, to add more turn allocation practices, to involve more students to participate in the classroom interaction, to lengthen the period for students’ involvement. In these ways, she creates more learning opportunities for students compared with novice EFL teacher. Although the result is pertinent, it might deepen understanding of high-quality EFL classroom interaction and promote EFL teachers to discover, create or maintain more learning opportunities for students.