Volume 7-2 April 2011.

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Title
Critical Discourse Analysis in an EFL Classroom

Authors
Aram R. Sadeghi (Ph.D.)
Semnan University, Semnan, Iran

Ali Asadi (M.A. Student)
Semnan University, Semnan Iran

Bio data
Aram Reza Sadeghi is an associate professor and the head of English Department at Semnan University, Iran. He has been teaching English at BA and MA levels for more than 14 years. His research interests include culture studies, material preparation, English as an International Language (EIL), and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA).

Ali Asadi is an MA student in TEFL at Semnan University, Iran. He got his B.A from Payam-e Noor University of Qom. He has been teaching English for more than five years in different institutes in Tehran. He is currently teaching at KISH Institute of Science and Technology. His research interests lie mostly in the realm of Critical Discourse Analysis.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the applicability of critical discourse analytical tools in an EFL classroom. To do so, 20 upper-intermediate EFL learners were chosen via a standardized TOEFL test. Then, a pre-test was given to the learners to evaluate their current level of writing skills. After that, in the treatment, the learners were trained how to apply the critical discourse analytical tools into their writings for sixteen sessions. Comparing the scores of the learners on pre-test and post-test via t-test showed that the treatment significantly improved the learners’ writing skills. Finally, it was concluded that teaching critical discourse analytical tools can lead to improvements in writings of upper-intermediate EFL learners.

Keywords: Critical discourse analysis (CDA), Critical discourse analytical tools (CDA tools), Writing skills, English as a foreign language (EFL).