“Facing Threats”: Understanding Communication Apprehensive Instructors' Face Loss and Face Restoration in the Classroom

Abstract

Noting a lack of qualitative literature devoted to student–teacher interactions, and even less targeting instructor communication apprehension (CA), this study aimed to combine these areas. Interview data were gathered from college instructors who experience CA in the classroom in an effort to garner their unique dealings with face-threatening situations with students. Using the concept of facework as a guide, two main themes arose from data analysis: (a) Threatening Face, and (b) Facing Identity: Managing and Restoring Face. Implications for facework theory and CA conclude this study.

Keywords:

• Communication Apprehension
• Facework
• Instructional Communication

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elizabeth Baiocchi-Wagner

Elizabeth Baiocchi-Wagner (Ph.D., University of Missouri, 2010) is a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Missouri.