Examines the interactions between learners and teachers in a content-based classroom. This book aims to identify patterns of discourse which support both second language development and curriculum learning, and the pedagogical contexts in which they occur. It puts forward a fresh approach to the analysis of classroom discourse.

Bridging Discourses in the ESL Classroom examines the interactions between learners and teachers in the language classroom. It aims to identify patterns of discourse which enable second language development but also support the learning of curriculum knowledge. These patterns are 'bridging discourses' in that they combine the everyday language used by the student, with the specialised language of the academic register. This book puts forward an innovative new theory of classroom discourse analysis, influenced by the work of Halliday and Vygotsky. It is recommended for academics and postgraduates researching applied linguistics and education.

[This] detailed systematic investigation of real life classroom discourse offers great potential for teacher training purposes and also provides a valuable classroom-based research resource for anyone concerned with ESL learners' linguistic and academic growth.