Exploring Algerian Higher Education Classroom Discourse: Verbal Abuse Manifestations and its Impacts on Learners of English

  • Mustapha Boudjelal Mostaganem University, Mostaganem, Algeria
Keywords: Verbal abuse, self-esteem-motivation, academic achievements, motivation

Abstract

The very mentioning of verbal abuse is more likely to send the reader/listener to educational settings like the primary, middle, and high schools. Howbeit, it is rare to affiliate between this linguistic maltreatment and higher education settings. The aim of this study is to explore EFL university learners’ experiences of verbal abuse by means of investigating the various effects of verbal abuse on classroom participation, academic achievements and self-esteem. This study is based on the reflection of nine female master learners from the University of Mostaganem of their verbal abuse experiences. The data have been collected from a survey questionnaire that comprises different sections, involving closed and open-ended questions. The results showcase that learners tend to experience verbal abuse at the university, articulated by some teachers in a form of shaming and public criticizing, which mainly targets their “English language abilities”. As to its effects, it has been found that due to learners’ age (over 20years old), verbal abuse does not negatively affect learners’ motivation, self-esteem, and academic achievements; however, it tends to reduce their classroom participation rate.

References

Anderson, K. (2002). Verbal abuse. Retrieved 18/02, 2009, from http://. www. leader .com /orgs/probe/docs/verbalabuse.html.

Bandura, A. (1986). Social Foundations of Thought and Action: a social cognitive theory (Englewood Cliffs, NJ, Prentice-Hall).

Beck, A.T., Steer, R.A. & Epstain, N. (1992), ‘Self-Concept Dimensions of Clinically Depressed and Anxious Outpatients, Journal of Clinical Psychology, vol.48, pp.423-432.

Brannan, J. M. (1972). Negative human interaction. Journal of Counselling Psychology, 19(1), 81-82.

Brendgenn, M., Frank V., Michel, B., and Ginette, P. (2006). Examining Genetic and Environmental Effects on Reactive Versus Proactive Aggression. Developmental Psychology, Vol. 42, No. 6, 1299 –1312.

Brendgen, M., Bukowski, W., Wanner, B., Vitaro, F.& Tremblay, R. (2007), ‘Verbal Abuse by the Teacher During Childhood and Academic, Behavioral, and Emotional Adjustment in Young Adulthood’, Journal of Educational Psychology, vol.99, no.1, pp.26-38.

Casarjian, B.E. (2000). Teacher Psychological maltreatment and student’s school-related functioning. Dissertation Abstracts International Section A. Humanities Social Sciences.60:4314Garbarino et al. 1986).

Cook, K. J. et al., (2001).Exploring the Impact on Physician Verbal Abuse on Nurses, AORN Journal 74, pp. 237–241.

Daly, A. J., (2014). Misalignment and perverse incentives: Examining the politics of district leaders as brokers in the use of research evidence, Educational Policy 28, pp. 145–174.

Dean, D. (1979). Emotional abuse of children. Children Today, 8, 18-20.

Eriyanti, R. W. (2018). Power Gap as One of the Trigger of Verbal Abuses Committed by Teachers in Schools. International Journal of Instruction, 11(1), 363-378.

Evans, P. (1993).Verbal Abuse Survivors Speak Out: On Relationship and Recovery, Holdbrook, MA.

Evans (1996). Verbal abuse. (Online). http://en.wikipedia.org.retrieved on March 23, 2009.http: // regional.liputan6.com/read/2677340/5.

Franks, David D and Joseph Marolla. (1976). “Efficacious Action and Social Approval as Interacting Dimensions of Self-Esteem: A Tentative Formulation through Construct Validation.” Stoichiometry 39:324–41.

Garbarino J, Guttmann E, Seeley JW (1986), The Psychologically Battered Child. San Francisco: [ossey-Bass.

Glaser, D. (2002). Emotional abuse and neglect (psychological maltreatment): A conceptual framework. Child Abuse & Neglect, 26(6-7), 697–714.

Graham, S., Bellmore, A., & Juvonen, J. (2007). Peer victimization in middle school: When self- and peer views diverge. In J. E. Zins, M. J. Elias, & C. A. Maher (Eds.), Bullying, victimization, and peer harassment: A handbook of prevention and intervention (pp. 121–141). New York, NY: Haworth Press.

Hughes, J.N., Cavell, T.A. & Jackson, T. 1999, ‘Influence of the teacher-student relationship on childhood conduct problems: a prospective study’, Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, vol.28, no.2, pp.173-184.

Krugman R.D, Krugman M.K (1984). Emotional abuse in the classroom: The paediatrician’s role in diagnosis and treatment. American Journal of Diseases of Children, 138: 284 – 286.

Levin, K. G. 2006. Involuntary clients are different: Strategies for group engagement using individual relational theories in synergy with group development theories. Groupwork, 16(2): 29–52. [Crossref], [Google Scholar]

Miller (1996). Verbal abuse. http://en.wikipedia.org.retrieved on March23, 2009.

O’Moore, Mona, & Kirkham, Colin (2001). Self-esteem and its relationship to bullying behavior. Aggressive Behavior, 27(4), 269-283.

Oweis, A. et al., (2005). Jordanian Nurses Perception of Physicians’ Verbal Abuse: Findings from a Questionnaire Survey, International Journal of Nursing Studies 42, pp. 881–888.

Román, S., Cuestas, P.J., & Fenollar, P. (2008). An examination of the interrelationships between self-esteem, others' expectations, family support, learning approaches and academic achievement. Studies in Higher Education, 33(2), 127-138.

Salmivalli, C. (2001). Group view on victimization: Empirical findings and their implications. In J. Juvonen & S. Graham (Eds.), Peer harassment in school: The plight of the vulnerable and victimized (pp. 398– 419). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Schaefer, C. (1997). Defining verbal abuse of children: A survey. Psychological Reports, 80(2), 626.

Seals, Dorothy, & Young, Jerry (2003). Bullying and victimization: Prevalence and relationship to gender, grade level, ethnicity, self-esteem, and depression. Adolescence, 38(152), 735-747.

Shumba, Almon. (2002). Teacher Conceptualization of Child Abuse in Schools in the New Millennium. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 17. 403-415.

Toblin, R. L., Schwartz, D., Gorman, A. H., & Abou-Ezzeddine, T. (2005). Social cognitive and behavioural attributes of aggressive victims of bullying. Applied Development Psychology, 26, 329-346. doi: 10.1016/j.appdev.2005.02.004.

Wolf. D.A. (Oct, 2013). It is verbal abuse or blowing off steam? Website: Divorced Moms.com.>Divorce.

Published
2022-02-22