ACADEMIC DISCOURSE

Academic Discourse
Definitions of on the Web:
discourse refers to the conventions of a
certain kind of language in a certain kind of
place.
Definition:
Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary(2005):
A long and serious treatment or discussion of a
subject in speech or writing
Use of language in speech and writing in order to
produce meaning language that is studied usually in
order to see how the different parts of a text are
connected
What is Discourse? 1/3
The term discourse has several definitions. In the study of language,
discourse often refers to the speech patterns and usage of language,
dialects, and acceptable statements, within a community. It is a
subject of study in peoples who live in secluded areas and share
similar speech conventions. Sociologists and philosophers tend to use
the term discourse to describe the conversations and the meaning
behind them by a group of people who hold certain ideas in common.
Such is the definitions by philosopher Michel Foucault, who holds
discourse to be the acceptable statements made by a certain type of
discourse community. This explanation will primarily consider the
definition pertaining to sociology.
Mathematical Discourse
Discourse of a classroom the ways of
representing, thinking, talking, questioning,
agreeing and disagreeing is central to
students learning mathematics with
understanding
Encompasses the ways in which ideas are
exchanged as well as what those ideas entail
Discourse in the classroom should be
founded on mathematical ways of
knowing and communicating
Discourse is shaped by the tasks in which
the students engage and the nature of
the learning environment
Teachers play crucial role in supporting and
encouraging discourse for learning and
thinking by students without taking over those
processes
Students should be accustomed to making
conjectures, asking questions and proposing
approaches and solutions to problems
NCTM Professional Teaching Standard 2 - The
Teachers' Role in Discourse
The teacher of mathematics should orchestrate discourse by-
posing questions and tasks that elicit, engage, and challenge each
student's thinking;
listening carefully to students' ideas;
asking students to clarify and justify their ideas orally and in writing;
deciding what to pursue in depth from among the ideas that students
bring up during a discussion;
deciding when and how to attach mathematical notation and
language to students' ideas;
deciding when to provide information, when to clarify an issue, when
to model, when to lead, and when to let a student struggle with a
difficulty;
monitoring students' participation in discussions and deciding when
and how to encourage each student to participate.
Provoke students reasoning
Encourage and expect students to talk
Monitor and organize students participation
Examples of academic discourse
Seminar
Workshops
Conferences
Books
journals