LANGUAGE STYLE USED BY STUDENTS

IN CLASSROOM ACTIVITY

Septiana Iman Nasrulloh (15220122)

M Septian Fauzi (15220138)

STKIP SILIWANGI BANDUNG

ABSTRACT

Language style is one part of linguistic varieties in sociolinguistics refers to variation in a

person’s speech or writing. The purpose of this study is to identify the style of language used by
students in a class of English education study program in STKIP Siliwangi Bandung. This study
is presented in qualitative descriptive method to identify language style used by students in
classroom activity. The instrument of this research use observation and interview. The sample in
this research are 9 students from 43 students at A2 English Education 2015 undergraduate
program in STKIP Siliwangi Bandung. The result of this study are the writers found four from
five types of language style used by students in classroom activity, there are formal, casual,
intimate and consultative style. In this study the writers did not find out frozen style used by
students in classroom activity (student’s interaction). Because frozen style can found on more
formal situation, for example in ceremony, seminar, etc. and the language of formal style cannot
be changed. The reasons why students use the types of language style in classroom activity
especially classroom interaction, because their adjust to addressee and the situation, even the
language style that students used has become they everyday language.

Keywords: Sociolinguistics, Language Style, Classroom Activity

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Language is very important for people for communication and expressing ideas. Many
people’s speech reflects not only aspects of their identity such as their age, gender, and social
background, it also reflects the context in which they are using the language. The way people talk
in school or college reflect the formality of those contexts. When someone talk to people from
different social backgrounds, usually that someone adapting the language use to that audience.
Style is described as variation in a person’s speech or writing. Style usually varies from casual to
formal according to the type of situation, the person(s) addressed, the location, the topic
discussed (Richards et al, 1995: 277). According to this statement this research is to identify the
language style which used by students in classroom activity in STKIP Siliwangi Bandung. We as
the writer found the situation which same with this statement in classroom activity by students.
Students use language style depends the situation and activities in classroom. It is interesting to
investigate the types language styles which have students based on situation and addressee that
they used in classroom activities.

1.2 The Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to investigate the types of language style used by students in
classroom activities.

2. LITERATURE REVIEW
3.1. Sociolinguistics

According to Wardaugh (1998: 13), sociolinguistics is the study of language in relation to

society. Sociolinguistics is a combination of two cultures of social science, sociology and
linguistics. Sociology is the study of society, while linguistics is the study of language elements
(phonemes, morphemes, sentences, etc.) and all things associated with its elements. Generally,
Sociolinguistics concerns in many things that related to language and society. The different ways
in communication such as different intonation, different word choice, different style, in
Sociolinguistics. That is why, the writers used Sociolinguistics as a basic study in analyzing
language style in classroom activity.
3.2. Language Style
Language style is the way people control their interaction in bringing messages or ideas
conveyed in word and tone of voice. The characteristics of language style are: selecting and
choosing the linguistic forms appeared from a person or group of people to distinguish the use of
language style by students in classroom activity, the writer used types of language style by Martin
Joos (1972: 278) in his book “The Five Clocks” He classified both spoken and written style into
five levels. They are such as follow:
a. Frozen
It is the most formal style that usually used in respectful situation or formal ceremony.
b. Formal
The characteristics of formal language are its careful and standard speech, low tempo speech,
technical vocabulary, complex and divergence grammatical structure.
c. Consultative
the style of business talks and small group discussion, does involve participation by addressee.
d. Casual
is the style in which friends and “insiders” speak.
e. Intimate
It is characterized by the use of the private and relatively permanent language code of the group
and by extraction. (Kaswan and Suprijadi 2011: 24).

3.3. Classroom Activities

Classroom Activities is the situation when the teacher or lecturer and students and or
between student with other student interact and do the learning activities. The writer chose one of
the classroom activities there is:
Classroom Interaction
Classroom interaction is the key point in this study. Classroom interaction is important
since it provides information on how students interact in the class. Inan and Fidan’s (2012, p.
1070) study reveals positive relations between the “discursive structure of language classrooms
and the relationship between the happenings in the classroom”. This shows that the languages
used for communicative purpose in the class influence activities in the class. In this research the
writer focused on conversation in the classroom between students as a part of classroom
interaction.
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The research questions starting from the background above, the writer intends to
investigate the phenomena as follows: What the types of language style used by the students
when they interaction in classroom? and Why the students use language style in classroom
activity?. In this research, the writer used qualitative descriptive method. The instrument of this
research are interview and observation. The writer was doing observation and interview several
students at class A2 2015 on STKIP Siliwangi Bandung.

4. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

Based on the observation, The participants of this study are students of an undergraduate
program at A2 2015 English education program on STKIP Siliwangi Bandung. This study took
one class purposively as the sample. There were 43 students in the class, The male student
consists of 10 students and the female student consists of 33 students. In which the classroom
interaction as a technique of discussion was applied. The students were in the fifth semester. In
order to obtain data on the English students’ classroom interaction. For observe classroom
interaction, the writer listen to conversations that are done by students. Then, for interview the
writer took 9 students with 3 male students and 6 female students.

4.1 Research Findings

1. Result of Observation
a. Formal Style
student 1 :”would you mind if I need your help to fill out the questionnaire?”
student 2 :”certainly. Where is the questionnaire?
Student 1 :”this it. Thank you”
Student 2 :”you’re welcome”.
Based on the conversation above, there are two participants. The conversation above use
formal style. It can be found when student 1 as the speaker ask ”would you mind if I need your
help to fill out the questionnaire?” and student 2 as addressee respond with utters ”certainly”
So, the conversation is formal style.
b. Casual Style
Student 3 :”soon there is an English Expo event, do you wanna come?”

Student 4 :”of course, that’s the event I’ve been waiting for!”

Based on dialogue above, there are two participants. In this dialogue between student 3
and student 4 it is clear as casual style. Because student 3 and student 4 as closest friend and use
the informal language. It can be found when student 3 as the speaker utters “do you wanna
come?” and student 4 as addressee renspond with said “of course”. So this conversation is casual
style.

c. Intimate Style
Student 5 :”Uwa! let’s do the task of Tour guide subjects!”
Student 6 :”what the task is? I’m sorry, I forgot it Nuy”
Student 5 :”the task is make a brosur”
Student 6 :”oh. Come on! Let’s do it.”
Based on the dialogue above, there are two participants. The conversations above use
Intimate style, because they use the language is non formal. They are as closest friend and they
have private nickname and use private language in their conversation. It can be found when
Student 5 as the speaker utters ”Uwa! let’s do the task of Tour guide subjects!”. Student 5 call
student 6 as addressee using nickname with utters ”Uwa!”. Student 6 respond with utters ”what
the task is? I’m sorry, I forgot it Nuy”. Same with student 5, student 6 respond her utterance
with call her nickname, it can be founding when student 6 utters “Nuy”. So, this conversation is
intimate style.
d. Consultative style
Student 7 :”bro, I have job offer for you. Goodly for increase your money!”
Student 8 & 9 :”what is that, jri?”
Student 7 : “now, I have a side job as a tour leader. I work on everything about travel,
I manage transportation, place and even consumption.
Student 9 :”emm.. wow. So, what’s job offer for us Jri?”
Student 7 :”you just offer travel packages to your family, your friends, or anyone else until
they are interested. If they are were interested to order the travel package you must
contact me directly, and I will manage it. I’ll give you a list of travel packages
later.”
Student 8 :”alright! after you give us a list of travel packages, We will try to find
customers for you thank’s for your job offer!”
Student 7 :”you’re welcome bro! I wait for your information as soon as possible.”
Based on the dialogue above, there are four participants. Student 7 as the speaker are used
language style is Consultative style, and student 8 and student 9 as addressee, why they used it, it
is usual form of conversation in a friendship (small group). It is a one type of language which is
required from everyday speaker and this style that which used in semiformal communication
situation. It can be founding conversation when speaker 5 utters ”bro, I have job offer for you.
Goodly for increase your money!” and student 8 interested represent other addressee with
respond ”alright! after you give me a list of travel packages, I will try to find customers for
you. thank’s for your job offer!”. So, this conversation included in consultative style.
2. Result of Interview
Based on the interview that already did, the writers asked four questions to 9 student there
are 3 male student and 6 female student that was observe before.
Table 4.1.1 students use formal style
No. The Interview Questions Student 1 Student 2

1. Why do you use formal Because when I want to Because I adjust to a

style in that conversation? borrow something to anyone, utterance and the situation.
I always use that language.
2. What are your advantages To look more polite. Looks to have a good
of using formal style? personality

3. What are you I ever laughed by other Considered as a strange

disadvantages of using people people
formal style?
4. What the style of Casual style, intimate style Casual style, intimate style
language do you use in and formal style and formal style
the classroom?

Table 4.1.2 students use casual style

No. The Interview Questions Student 3 Student 4

1. Why do you use casual Because it is my rut when I Because I adjust to the
style in that conversation? talk with my friends and addressee when I talk with
depends on addressee too. closest people I will use it.
2. What are your advantages Easily understood by others. I am comfortable using this
of using casual style? language.

3. What are your I think this style can’t used in This style is too relaxed if
disadvantages of using formal situation. used to the formal situation.
casual style?
4. What the style of Casual style and formal style Casual style and intimate
language do you use in style
the classroom?
Table 4.1.3 students use intimate style
No. The Interview Questions Student 5 Student 6

1. Why do you use intimate Because this style has Because I use this style
style in that conversation? become my everyday when talk to only my closest
language. people
2. What are your advantages Easily understood by my I am comfortable using this
of using intimate style? family and other closest language.
people.
3. What are your I think this style can’t used Can be considered satire
disadvantages of using when talk to people who are when talking to people who
intimate style? not close with me. are less close with me.
4. What the style of Casual style and intimate Casual style and intimate
language do you use in style style
the classroom?

Table 4.1.4 students use consultative style

No. The Interview Questions Student 7 Student 8 Student 9
1. Why do you use Because when I I use this style Because this
consultative style in that offer anything I when I have job to style can make
conversation? will use it. offer anything. the listener
interest.
2. What are your advantages to help ease my To easily get Can easily make
of using cconsultative business consumer when I addresse
style? do a business interested to what
I said
3. What are your often considered Need a lot of talk. I was a lot of talk
disadvantages of using jokingly by my the respond only
consultative style? friends. gives short
answer
4. What the style of Casual style, Casual style, Casual style,
 language do you use in the intimate style and intimate style and intimate style and
classroom? formal style formal style formal style
Based on the result on the all table above. we can see that most reason why students
choose their language style are because adjust to addressee and the situation and even the
language style that students used has become they everyday language. For the advantages of the
student that most use the language style are to easy their interaction and their activities. While for
the disadvantages, the opinion of the students that every language style has used should be
appropriate to the addressee and the situation, because if it does not approptiate with addressee
and situation will occur errors of assumption of the addressee, such as laughed by addressee,
considered jokingly, considered satire and many more as mentioned by students on the table
above. Casual style, Intimate style and Formal style is the most language style used by students in
classroom activity.

4.2 Discussion
As the researcher wrote at introduction, this research purposed to find out the types of
language style used by students in classroom activities (students interaction), the reason why
students used that types of language style and in what situation students using that types of
language style.

4.2.1 The Use Types of Language Style by Students in classroom activity

a. Frozen Style

In this study the writers did not find out frozen style used by students in classroom
activities (student’s interaction). Because frozen style can found on more formal situation, for
example in ceremony, seminar, etc. and the language of formal style cannot be changed, so the
writers when doing observation was hard to find frozen style in classroom activity especially
students interaction.

b. Formal Style

When doing observation, the writers found the formal style used by two participants.
There are student 1 and student 2. The setting of this interaction is in the classroom when learn
the subjects of ESP Development.
c. Casual Style

Based on the observation, the writers found the casual style used by two participants. In
this interaction between student 3 and student 4 it is clear as casual style. Because student 3 and
student 4 as closest friend and use the informal language. The setting of this interaction is in the
classroom when do take a rest

d. Intimate Style

Based on the observation, the writers found intimate style used by two participants. There
are student 5 and student 6. The interactions above use Intimate style, because they use the
language is non-formal. They are as closest friend and they have private nickname and use
private language in their conversation. The setting of this interaction is in the classroom when
take a rest.

e. Consultative Style

Based on the observation, the writers found consultative style used by three participants.
There are student 7, student 8 and student 9. Student 7 as the speaker are use Consultative style,
and student 8 and student 9 as addressee, why they used it, it is usual form of conversation in a
friendship (small group). It is a one type of language which is required from everyday speaker
and this style that which used in semiformal communication situation. The setting of this
interaction is in the classroom when the pause change of subjects.

4.2.2 The Reason of Students Using the Types of Language Style

Based on the interview that have been taken. The writer got the reasons why students used
that type of language style. The first one students with use formal style, student 1 said because
using formal style for borrow something. While, student 2 said using formal style is to adjust the
addressee and situation. Then students with use casual style, student 3 said because casual style
has become a habit. While, student 4 said because using casual style for adjust to the closest
people as addressee. Then students with use intimate style, student 5 said because intimate style
has become everyday language. While, student 6 said use intimate style when talking with closest
people. And then students with use consultative style, student 7 said use consultative style when
offer anything. Student 8 said use consultative style when have a job to offer anything. While,
student 9 said because consultative style can make addressee interest.

5. CONCLUSION
Based on the result of this reasearch, phenomenon the use types of language style by
students in the classroom actovity is happened in students interaction of class A2 English
Education 2015 at STKIP Siliwangi Bandung. All of the students interaction, student 1 and
student 2 were doing interaction using formal style in classroom activity. Then student 3 and
student 4 were doing interaction using casual style in classroom activity. Then student 5 and
student 6 were doing interaction using intimate style in classroom activity. And then student 7,
student 8 and student 9 were doing interaction using consultative style in classroom activity. The
reasons why students use the types of language style in classroom activity especially classroom
interaction because adjust to addressee and the situation and even the language style that students
used has become they everyday language. For the advantages of the student that most use the
language style are to easy their interaction and their activities. While for the disadvantages, the
opinion of the students that every language style has used should be appropriate to the addressee
and the situation, because if it does not appropriate with addressee and situation will occur errors
of assumption of the addressee, such as laughed by addressee, considered jokingly, considered
satire and many more as mentioned by students on the table above. Casual style, Intimate style
and Formal style is the most language style used by students in classroom activity.
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