Dissertation - the Use of Humor in TESOL

This graduate student is an adult TESOL teacher in a non-English-speaking country. She noticed that when she made jokes in class, specific students participated more fully in oral activities such as discussions and role-playing. She decided to investigate this as a teaching strategy, and to what extent it might be effective, by comparing two of her learner groups. One group would have lessons straight from the coursebook, and she deliberately attempted to minimize the incidence of humor both planned and spontaneous. The other's lessons would be accompanied by planned humor on her part and deliberate attempts to provoke spontaneous humor.

When I first met with her, her idea was too vague and undefined for an investigation and I assisted her in refining it into a simple, narrow area of focus. I also helped her develop her theoretical framework for the study and her research methodology, including methods of data collection and analysis. Along the way, I helped her with general dissertation planning and writing, and Use of English conundrums.

At the time of writing, the data collection is yet to begin. However, the indications are that this student will produce a solid piece of work with clear and valid conclusions.

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