In my discussion here, I will concentrate on the objectives which have to do with an appropriate approach to analytic techniques and theory and their relation to practice, which I have commented on above. Note that the objectives do not hold out the promise of improved teaching, and we add also the following caveat {Siubbs and Robinson, 1979, p. 13-14):
- We are concered at every stage with the details of real language in classrooms, and for some readers this may lead to an assumption that such work is directly and obviously relevant to teaching practice. However, while we do see such work as very relevant, such an assumption needs qualification. There is no reason, for example, why increased insight into teacher-pupil discourse should in itself lead to better teaching. It may do or it may not (it depends on the educational decisions and action that the teacher takes) ... Nor is there any special value in the analysis of classroom discourse for its own sake, and it would be wrong of us to promise that there is.