Action Research Of The English Teacher' Instructional Directive In The Primary School

The English teachers'instructional directives(IDs) have maintained a significant element of teacher'language due to the dual function of managing classroom teaching and presenting linguistic inputs. The present study investigates English lessons through action research, including classroom observation, interview, and reflective journals, on some teachers and students as well as their English classes at three primary schools of Qingdao city for the purpose of having a deeper understanding about the following questions:l)What is the current situation of English teachers'instructional directives in the primary school? 2)What are the classifications and functions of English teachers' instructional directives in the primary school? 3)What are the existing problems of the English teachers'instructional directives and how to solve these problems?Action research is applicated in the process of this investigation. According to data obtained from classroom observation, the findings of this empirical research demonstrate that both English teachers and students hold positive attitude towards English IDs. IDs investigated through classroom observation can be classified into six major categories: IDs of organizing classroom teaching activities, raising questions, accomplishing classroom exercises and activities, managing classroom discipline, managing homework and starting and closing the English lessons. Meanwhile, IDs have the functions of creating linguistic environment, performing linguistic orientation and organizing lessons. The exisiting problems of the English teacher's IDs are reflected on the use of language knowledge, the choices of lexicons and the speed of utterances. The solutions are negotiated and applied in the practical English classroom teaching activities through working with the teachers and satistactory outcomes are achieved. Based on the findings of the investigation and the feedbacks of both teachers and students, suggestions are made for improving English teachers'competence of using IDs.