Speech and Text Genres in Portuguese Language Teaching in East Timor

Abstract

This paper discusses the theories that use the concepts of ‘speech genres’ and ‘text genres’ as well as the interaction between these theories and language teaching-learning processes. The concept of speech genres comes from studies developed by the Russian philosopher Mikhail Bakhtin and the members of a group known as the Bakhtin Circle. However, when this concept is reinterpreted within the theoretical framework of Sociodiscursive Interactionism, the term ‘text genres’ is used instead (Bronckart, 2007). Preference for one term over the other depends, above all, on the purposes of each group, and their specific theoretical and methodological choices must be taken into account when such terms are used in teaching and learning processes (Rojo, 2005). Based on these theoretical-methodological discussions and upon reflection about the socio-historical aspects present in the Timorese context, I present a Didactic Sequence (Dolz; Noverraz; Schneuwly, 2004) whose aim, by means of orality, is to teach the Portuguese language to non-native speakers - a situation commonly found in the teaching and learning processes in Timor-Leste. Given that East Timorese teachers do not actually use genres in their teaching practice, probably a remnant of their own grammar-based learning experience, this paper seeks to discuss the methodology currently used by such teachers and their willingness to adapt their teaching practice.