International Journal of Language & Linguistics

Politeness and Power Relation in EFL Classroom Interactions: A Study on Indonesian Learners and Lecturers Sheila Agustina, Bambang Yudi Cahyono

Abstract
By the time, the role of a teacher is not merely to teach but also to educate, to guide, and to enlighten the students. It is then believed that teacher-student relationship becomes one of determinant factors in students’ success in the classroom. Considering how teacher’s interpersonal, communication skills relate to the teacher-student relationship and how they contribute to the success of both teachers and students, this paper purposes to raise the awareness of the English lecturers to use mannered language during the classroom interaction and to create effective communication through the dimension of politeness. The findings suggested how most lecturers generated face-saving utterances more frequent than face-threatening utterances, how legitimate power can be exercised excessively through the choice of lecturers’ classroom discourse, and how students expect polite expressions from their lecturers.

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