Discipline: Education
This qualitative dissertation employing Conversational Analysis aimed to determine the linguistic contrasts and ways of appreciation of the opposite sex in the academic milieu through the triangulated data of recorded conversations, paired up interviews and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) administered among the Elementary pupils and High School students in the University of the Immaculate Conception during the academic year 2013 – 2014. The results of the study revealed that conversational styles among young male and female vary. Young males’ conversational styles were used to show status, independence, advice, information, orders and conflict, while young female’s conversational styles were used to show support, intimacy, understanding, feelings, proposal and compromise. The study further exposed the generated themes on the ways on appreciation of the young male and female in conversation. These themes were speaking from the heart, showing trust and respect, listening attentively, considering one’s topic, showing positive energy, complimenting each other, uttering optimistic expression, and exhibiting sympathy and empathy. In pedagogical sphere, the study calls for the acceptance of educators of the different linguistic styles, abilities, and skills of their students regardless of sex differences.