Republic of the Philippines

Sorsogon State College

School of Graduate Studies
Sorsogon City

USING VERBAL PRAISES DURING CLASS

DISCUSSION

Marra N. Cantoria
MAED-English
ABSTRACT

The study analyzed the use of praise and its influence toward students’
engagement by the use of verbal praises in classroom discussions.Qualitative
approach was employed in this study. The obtained data were analyzed by
using the theory of effective praise by Conolly et al (1995) and also the theory of
characteristics of students’ engagement by Jones (2009).

Classroom observation was the tool being used as to gather data. The
result of this study showed the importance of praise if given to the students and
how the students are being motivated to engage more in the classroom
discussion.

INTRODUCTION

A praise is often called as positive feedback. It contains explicit positive

performance feedback. The term ‘praise’ itself is derived from the latin verb
pretiare, which means to value highly (Shepell, 2000). Praise is a powerful tool for
educators. When used effectively in the classroom, it can increase the social
and academic performance of students, as well as improve classroom climate.
General praise can be reinforcing for some students, but the most powerful
praise is specific to a student’s behaviour.( psibehaviorspecpraise.pdf)

By the use of verbal praise in classroom situation, it serves as reinforcement

to the students where they tend to become actively engaged in the classroom
discussion.This research shows how the teacher gives her praise whenever her
students got the correct answer and how these students react to it.This is
somehow the driving force of the students to have a very active engagement in
terms of academic.

Students’ engagement becomes a crucial thing in learning process. The

linkage between students’ engagement and their academic achievement is
undeniable (Lim, 1992; Wudong, 1994; Zhou, 1991 as cited in Tsou, 2005). Studies
have shown that students’ academic achievement seems to be higher when
they participate actively in class than that of those who are passive in class.
Students’ engagement occurs when students are motivated so they learn
actively in class. Motivation as the essence of language teaching is important
because of the stark realities of learning English for most of students (Rost, 2006).
Harmer (2001) proposes that without motivation teacher will almost certainly fail
to make the necessary effort.

OBJECTIVE

Praise is a form of reward that can be verbal or written. Kamal and

Gallahue (1980) proclaim that praise and criticism are used at a large scale to
urge the wished behaviours and to transmit information. Praise can play a
crucial role in motivating students if the teachers have enough information of
when and how to use it.

This study is conducted to discover how the teacher uses praise and its
influence toward students’ engagement. It is highly anticipated to develop the
art of using verbal praises to the students, know when and how to give
praises,compare the relative effects of giving praises and by not giving at all
and assess the progress of the students as they were being praised by their
teacher.

METHODOLOGY

The qualitative approach was employed in this study. The purpose of

qualitative approach is to understand, describe and explain beliefs, behaviors
and meaning in context-specific settings (Wu and Volker, 2009). The populations
of this research were an English teacher and the students of ninth grade in Bulan
National High School, enrolled in academic year 2018-2019. The age of the
students is around 15 years old. The selected sample of this research is IX-1 class
with 62 students.The instrument used to obtain the data in this study was
classroom observation through video..

The study was conducted to record how the teachers give praise to her
students and how students actually react to it.The classroom conversations were
transcribed and evaluated the over-all result of the study.The transcription
notations were also used from Gil’s Jefferson full system.
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
FEATURES OF GIVING PRAISE
a. Student who answered
correctly
b. Specific in giving praise
DECRIPTION NO.OF
INSTANCES
S1: Capitalization is the use of capital letter in 2
the first word.
T: Alright! That’s good. As simple as that. So,
(0.4) we have different rules on how
capitalize. <Sabe dito always capitalize the
following>. First one, who can read and read
the example. Yes, Twinkle? (.)
Lyka: Ay mam, (.) pronoun substitutes the
noun.
T: Very good! (0.1) PRONOUN is a part of
speech that substitutes or takes the place of a
noun. (0.3) For example, the word Piolo.What
pronoun are you going to use to substitute the
word Piolo?
.
Lyra: Eiffel Tower, Rizal Monument, Pisa Tower. 3
o
T: You are very good Lyra in your answers You
know a lot of that huh.. (0.4) Next, number 6.
T: What are the seven days?
S: <Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,
Friday, Saturday, Sunday>
T: Wow! Very good children! How about the
twelve months?
S: <January, February, March, April, May,
June, July, August, September, October,

c. Student answered even if
the answer is incorrect
d. Helping/correcting the
answer of his classmate
November, December>
T:You are all excellent in reciting the twelve
months! (.) Now who can give me examples
of special days or holidays?
Gwyneth: Names of races and languages.
Example: I want to learn Spanish language.
T: You are very active Gwyneth, huh? Okay.
(0.3) Spanish. What else?
T: >What do you think is the reason why are 1
we capitalizing the word I?<
S1: Special noun!
Christine: Pag saday siya ,hmmm:: (0.4)
T: Yes, Christine? Can you please try to speak
in English? Stand-up, Christine.
Christine: If the letter I is small , (0.3) it can
read is, as /ē/. (longer e)
T: You mean /ē/, so that is your perception. I
commend you for trying Christine. Any other?
(.) Try! © What do you think is the reason (0.2)
why do we capitalize the word I eventhough I
is written at the middle, or at the end, kahit
saan siya located, still diba, big letter pa rin.
What is the reason?
T: You try to speak in English. Sssshh:: quiet. 1
Gwyneth: There is no respect in small letter g.
T: Great! Thank You Gwyneth. But, (0.3)
ahhmmm:: I am still looking for another
answer.
Sophie: Sa small letter g… (.) In the capital
G,we give the highest respect. But in the
god,(0.3) small letter g, it’s like god and
goddesses.
 T: Exactly! Correct!

T: That is why class(0.2) when you see the

word God in a sentence automatic that is
referring to the Supreme Being, our Heavenly
Father. While when god is written in small letter
g, it pertains to gods and goddesses. Did you
get it?
e. Student who is reciting Twinkle: The first letter of the word in a 5
sentence. Example: You are my friend.

T. Good! Thank you,Twinkle.(0.2) Whatever

word it is, any word under sun, kahit ano pa
yan,=you are going to capitalize it as long as
it begins the word.Did you get it?

Jhaysan: The pronoun I. Example: She told me

that I should go to the party.

T: Great. (.) What do you mean class by

pronoun?(0.6) Anyone? (.) Who can tell me
the meaning of it?

T: Lalaki si Piolo diba (h) , Therefore we will use

he,him and his. How about the word
Margareth? (.)

John Rendell: her,she.

T: That is correct, Rendell. Now, when you are

writing a paragraph, are you.. (0.5) my
question is do you capitalize the pronoun I?
Are you writing it in a big letter?

Lyka: Names of political parties. (h) Example:

The Nacionalista Party won.

f. Student who arrived at a
problem which requires
higher order thinking skills
g. Giving additional
information
T: Very good. What are the other parties that
do you know?
S: Gabriela, Ako Bicol…(0.3)
Piolo: PDP-Laban
T: Nice one, Piolo! (h) Okay. Let’s finish this.
Number 8.
Xyrexiel: Hmmm… :: How about the word 1
Ninang Ma’am?
T: That’s a good question, Xyrexiel. Ninang is
actually acceptable in English even Tita in an
informal form of writing and speaking. Okay?
Sige. Next is number 10.
T: Yes, Ma.Fiel? try. 2
Ma.Fiel: Ma’am common noun is small letter.
While proper noun is big letter.
T: Alright! Nice one.(.) Any other?
Fritz: Ma’am common noun is telling about
general and proper noun is specific.
T: Okay, Very good! That is correct. What Ma.
Fiel and Friz said are both correct.(0.3)
Common noun pertains to general idea and it
is written in small letter. While Proper noun
pertains to the specific idea, and written in a
big letter.= Okay.> How about this class, the
word doctor. Example, The doctor is in. Is it in
capital letter or not?<
T: Any other, class? (.)
S: >EDSA Revolution, World War I, World War II,
Romantic Period, Ming Dynasty…<

h. Correcting the teacher
T: Good! Or pwede rin class in Filipino, like
Sigaw sa Pugad Lawin, Biak-na-Bato, and
others. They are examples of historical events.
(0.5)They are always in capital letter. (.)
Alright, number 12 now.
T: Grade 5 palang, it was discussed already to 1
you. (0.4) Who can tell me the difference
between the two? (.) Let me give you an
example. Mongol is a common noun and
pencil is a proper noun.

Dave: ((Ma’am baliktad po ata.))

T: Yes, Dave?

Dave: Baliktad po. Mongol is proper noun and

pencil is a common noun.

T: That was excellent! Thank you, Dave. (0.3)

You know class, I really meant it. Why?(.) to
see if some of you at least now the difference
between the two. (h) This is a basic lesson in
noun; the first thing that is being taught to
you= Now, tell me the difference between the
two?

The table shows the examples of the transcribed conversations of the

teacher and the students with the use of verbal praises as form of reinforcement
to the students.

T: Okay, class.(.) May I have your ears for a moment? (0.3) We are going to
discuss CAPITALIZATION. Anyone who has an idea of what capitalization is?

S1: Capitalization is the use of capital letter in the first word.

T: Alright! That’s good. As simple as that. So, (0.4) we have different rules on how
capitalize. <Sabe dito always capitalize the following>. First one, who can read
and read the example. Yes, Twinkle? (.)

Twinkle: The first letter of the word in a sentence. Example: You are my friend.
T. Good! Thank you,Twinkle.(0.2) Whatever word it is, any word under sun, kahit
ano pa yan,=you are going to capitalize it as long as it begins the word.Did you
get it?

In the first part of the discussion of the teacher, she already used
verbal praises which somehow ignited the interest and attention of the
students.She managed to lift up the ambiance of the classroom wherein
everybody is welcome to recite and give his idea about the subject matter.This
is a good strategy to reinforce the students to learn more.

T: Next, number 2.Ahh…:: (0.5) Jhaysan.

Jhaysan: The pronoun I. Example: She told me that I should go to the party.

T: Great. (.) What do you mean class by pronoun?(0.6) Anyone? (.) Who can tell
me the meaning of it?

Lyka: He, she,her…

T: But those are just examples, Lyka. I am asking for the meaning. Okay, Lyka,
again?

Lyka: Ay mam, (.) pronoun substitutes the noun.

T: Very good! (0.1) PRONOUN is a part of speech that substitutes or takes the
place of a noun. (0.3) For example, the word Piolo.What pronoun are you going
to use to substitute the word Piolo?

S1: He,his

S2: him

S3: her

T: her? (h)

T: Lalaki si Piolo diba (h) , Therefore we will use he,him and his. How about the
word Margareth? (.)

John Rendell: her,she.

T: That is correct, Rendell. Now, when you are writing a paragraph, are you..
(0.5) my question is do you capitalize the pronoun I? Are you writing it in a big
letter?

This part let students understand why a specific behavior is beneficial

to them or others (Connolly et al, 1995). Students are more likely to do something
asked by the teacher when they know the good reason for doing it. This also
makes students view the teacher as more concerned and fair person.

S: Yes!

T: >What do you think is the reason why are we capitalizing the word I?<

S1: Special noun!

Christine: Pag saday siya ,hmmm:: (0.4)

T: Yes, Christine? Can you please try to speak in English? Stand-up, Christine.

Christine: If the letter I is small , (0.3) it can read is, as /ē/. (longer e)

T: You mean /ē/, so that is your perception. I commend you for trying Christine.
Any other? (.) Try! © What do you think is the reason (0.2) why do we capitalize
the word I eventhough I is written at the middle, or at the end, kahit saan siya
located, still diba, big letter pa rin. What is the reason?

S1: Special noun!

T: Special noun? Bakit special?( Yes, Remus?) Any idea? Okay wait.(0.7) How
about this class, when you are writing the word God, are you capitalizing the
letter G?

S: Yes!

T: Tama? Is there a difference between a God and a god? (0.5) What is the
difference between the two? John Paul? Nathaniel?[ Sa section 5 nga alam
agad nila ang sagot.]

Lyka: ((Ma’am, tagalog nalang po. ))

T: Try to speak in English Lyka. Oh, yes?(0.2) Gwyneth? You know class,(.)
everytime you recite, I always give you additional points for that.
Gwyneth: For RESPECT po.

T: Saan?

Gwyneth: Sa big letter G.

T: How about in small letter G?

G: Parang sa small letter G… (0.8)

T: You try to speak in English. Sssshh:: quiet.

Gwyneth: There is no respect in small letter g.

T: Great! Thank You Gwyneth. But, (0.3) ahhmmm:: I am still looking for another
answer.

Sophie: Sa small letter g… (.) In the capital G,we give the highest respect. But in
the god,(0.3) small letter g, it’s like god and goddesses.

T: Exactly! Correct!

T: That is why class(0.2) when you see the word God in a sentence automatic
that is referring to the Supreme Being, our Heavenly Father. While when god is
written in small letter g, it pertains to gods and goddesses. Did you get it?

Some students may have understood the material on teacher’s first

explanation, while the other may not. The request acknowledgment step is
aimed to make sure that the students give their attention to the teacher
explanation and also to find out are the students understood it or not (Connolly
et al, 1995).

S: Yes!

T: Same way class, (0.3) with the word I, it pertains to giving respect to yourself.
Did you get the point?

S: Yes!

T: Let’s proceed to number 3. Anyone who can read?

Kyla: Names, nicknames,and titles. Example: You should give this letter to Kit.

T: Thank you Kyla.(0.2) When you are writing your name, di ba, >you are
capitalizing it, ilike Gwyneth, Twinkle and Piolo and also your nicknames, still it is
written in capital letter< and also the title= Do you know what is the difference
between the proper noun and a common noun? Have you heard this? (0.3)
Already? (.)

S: Yes Ma’am!

T: Grade 5 palang, it was discussed already to you. (0.4) Who can tell me the
difference between the two? (.) Let me give you an example. Mongol is a
common noun and pencil is a proper noun.

Dave: ((Ma’am baliktad po ata.))

T: Yes, Dave?

Dave: Baliktad po. Mongol is proper noun and pencil is a common noun.

T: That was excellent! Thank you, Dave. (0.3) You know class, I really meant it.
Why?(.) to see if some of you at least now the difference between the two. (h)
This is a basic lesson in noun; the first thing that is being taught to you= Now, tell
me the difference between the two?

Dave: Yes, ma’am.

T: Yes, Ma.Fiel? try.

Ma.Fiel: Ma’am common noun is small letter. While proper noun is big letter.

T: Alright! Nice one.(.) Any other?

Fritz: Ma’am common noun is telling about general and proper noun is specific.

T: Okay, Very good! That is correct. What Ma. Fiel and Friz said are both
correct.(0.3) Common noun pertains to general idea and it is written in small
letter. While Proper noun pertains to the specific idea, and written in a big
letter.= Okay.> How about this class, the word doctor. Example, The doctor is in.
Is it in capital letter or not?<
 Teacher should maintain students’ enthusiasm and make sure that
teacher enjoys what they do, so the student will engage positively. However,
teacher can create classroom conditions that promotes students’ engagement,
while to be engaged or not is absolutely students’ choice (Barkley, 2010)

S: Not!

T: But when we say Doctor Reyes is in.

Jemalyn: Capital!

T: Because there is already a name associated with the word doctor. Pag title
lang siya,(.) di siya big letter.But when there is already a name,it’s already
written in big letter.Okay?(0.2) Let’s proceed to number 4. Yes, Donna?

Donna: Geographical names and locations. Example: She lives in the

Philippines.

T: Okay. No matter what place is that, [whether we’re talking about Managa-
Naga, Zone-1, Zone-2…]

S: Zone-3, Zone 4…

T: Alright. As long as it talks about places, it’s in big letter.(.) Proceed to number
5. Read. Margareth.

Margareth: Names of buildings and monuments. Example, I had seen the EDSA
Shrine.

T: Aside from EDSA Shrine, what other examples of buildings and monument do
you know?

Lyra: Eiffel Tower, Rizal Monument, Pisa Tower.

T: You are very good Lyra in your answers You know a lot of that huh.. (0.4) Next,
number 6.

Nathaniel: Names of days, months,and special holidays. Example: We’ll be

visiting her on Sunday, Christmas Eve, the day before December 25.

T: What are the seven days?

S: <Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday>

T: Wow! Very good children! How about the twelve months?

S: <January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September,

October, November, December>

T:You are all excellent in reciting the twelve months! (.) Now who can give me
examples of special days or holidays?

S: >Valentine’s Day, Independence Day, Christmas Day, All Souls’ Day, New
Year, Rizal Day, Bonifacio Day, National Heroes’ Day, Father’s Day, Easter
Sunday, Teachers’ Day…<

T: Lahat na. Okay. All those things that you have mentioned, days, months and
holidays, they are always in capital letter. Pero class, remember this (0.3) when
we are talking about season, like winter,spring,summer or fall, or autumn, they
are not in capital letter= unless they it is written at the beginning. For example,
Summer is my favorite season. (0.3) But if it is located at the middle or at the end,
example, I’ll be there next summer, it is in small letter. Did you get it? Okay
number 7.

Students’ engagement is an essential part of students’ outcome in

classroom. The relation between students’ engagement and students’
outcome is powerful, so it is important to know in what kind of condition the
relationship occurs (Harper and Quaye, 2009).

Lyka: Names of pole…

T: Political, not poletecal, Lyka. (h)

Lyka: Names of political parties. (h) Example: The Nacionalista Party won.

T: Very good. What are the other parties that do you know?

S: Gabriela, Ako Bicol…(0.3)

Piolo: PDP-Laban

T: Nice one, Piolo! (h) Okay. Let’s finish this. Number 8.

Gwyneth: Names of races and languages. Example: I want to learn Spanish
language.

T: You are very active Gwyneth, huh? Okay. (0.3) Spanish. What else?

S: Filipino, British, Korean, Mandarin…

T: (( Okay. Bahala kamo.)) Let’s proceed to number 9. Yes, Trixie?

Trixie: Names of family relationships. Example: Uncle Mars is kind.

T: Pertaining to family relationship, other example is Aunt.

Xyrexiel: Hmmm… :: How about the word Ninang Ma’am?

T: That’s a good question, Xyrexiel. Ninang is actually acceptable in English even

Tita in an informal form of writing and speaking. Okay? Sige. Next is number 10.

Jane: Trade Names. Example: I’ll buy that Binch cologne.

T: It’s Bench, not Binch, Jane.Okay. Commercial class.Like Safeguard, Surf,

Palmolive, Creamsilk,Nido,Pampers, etc.etc.(0.5) But :: class, why do others
say,(.) ‘’I’ll buy Close-up Colgate.’’

Donna: Because colgate becomes the name of the toothpaste.

T: Exactly, Donna! Why is it like that? (0.4) Any more?

Edith: ((Ma’am kahit po ang Pampers)). Example: Pabakala man po Pampers

na EQ. (h)

T: That’s right, Edith! (h) Ganun talaga.People substituted those words already,
and they got used using them.

The quality of teacher’s praise is an important determinant of its

effectiveness in increasing students’ positive engagement. Again, the use of
praise will be effective if the teacher knows well when and how to use it.

Okay, number 11 now.

Ivy: Names of period in history, events or documents. Example: I was afraid of

Martial Law.
T: Any other, class? (.)

S: >EDSA Revolution, World War I, World War II, Romantic Period, Ming
Dynasty…<

T: Good! Or pwede rin class in Filipino, like Sigaw sa Pugad Lawin, Biak-na-Bato,
and others. They are examples of historical events. (0.5)They are always in
capital letter. (.) Alright, number 12 now.

Christine: Names of organizations and churches. Example: I already visited the

St.Paul Parish Church last week.

T: Thank you, Christine. (0.2) That’s it.Its’ very self-explanatory. Next!

Rhona: Names of ships and airplanes. Example: Titanic is a huge ship.

T: What other names of planes and ships do you know?

S: To-go, Superferry, Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Malaysian

Airplane…ahhhm ::

T: And remember class, when we’re using pronoun reference to ship and
plane,((lagi silang babae)). She.

Aira: She?!

T: Yes, Aira. She. (0.2) Even the school, it’s she. Did you get it now class?

S: Yes!

T: Alright, ((last na)).

Natalie: Title of the books. Example: ‘’Mathematics is Fun’’ is my baby’s favorite

book.

T: Okay. Class, there is an exception. <When you are writing the title of the book,
example, The Hare and the Tortoise,> (( familiar ba kayo dun? )) (0.4) All the
words should not be in capital. The words ‘’and’’ and ‘’the’’ are in small letter.=
Articles and connectors are not intended to be in big letter. They are always in
small letter. Okay?

S: Yes, Ma’am.

T: Do you have questions?

S: None.

T: Okay. (0.4) Tomorrow we will have a quiz. Let’s call it a day. Goodbye class.

S: Goodbye Ma’am.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summarizing up, if positive verbal praises were given to students, they

will be reinforced to be more engaged in active participation during the class
discussion.This study however provides some suggestions and recommendations
that might be useful for teachers in increasing students’ engagement. The
teachers are suggested to choose, develop, or enhance the students’ learning
by giving such positive reinforcement through the use of verbal praises in right
ways; the teacher should also be more aware of the words that will come out
from her mouth. A good preparation from the teachers also influences the
success of teaching learning process.

This study also provides some suggestion for further study in the same
field with this study. The future researchers may choose the same topic as this
study with different level such as senior high school or even elementary school
level or even college, if possible. It is also suggested to think of another type of
reward, in order to compare with this technique,if it is effective or not at all.
Lastly, The researchers also suggested to conduct an interview to the teacher as
to have additional informations on how to motivate students using verbal
praises.

REFERENCES

Connolly, T. (Father Flanagan’s Boy’s Home, Boys Town, NE). (1995). The Well-
Managed Classroom: Promoting Student Success Through Social Skill Instruction.
Washington, D.C: ERIC Clearinghouse

Jones, R. D. (2008). Strengthening Students Engagement

psibehaviorspecpraise.pdf

Lim, 1992; Wudong, 1994; Zhou, 1991 as cited in Tsou, 2005