Student Interaction In English Language Classroom: A Qualitative Analysis Of Communication Style

This study was aimed at analyzing students’ interaction in the English language classroom by addressing two research questions: (1) the communication styles used by students and (2) students’ verbal interaction patterns during classroom interaction. A qualitative research design was employed, and the data were collected through classroom observation involving eleventh-grade students at MAN 1 Kota Banda Aceh. An observation sheet was used as the main instrument to record students’ interactions during English learning activities. The findings indicated that students predominantly demonstrated assertive and passive communication styles, while aggressive and passive-aggressive styles were rarely observed. In terms of verbal interaction patterns, students mainly responded rather than initiated interaction, with limited turn-taking. Code-switching between English and Bahasa Indonesia was frequently observed, particularly during peer discussions. Although the classroom atmosphere was generally lively and cooperative, only a small number of students actively participated verbally, while others relied on nonverbal responses. In conclusion, students’ interaction was characterized by limited verbal participation and mixed language use, suggesting the need for more structured interaction activities to encourage active English communication.