The role of using first language (L1) and translation in young learners’ classes - Essay Example

ys: firstly, by means of a small-scale survey of EFL teachers, using a questionnaire; secondly, through on-line interviews with three former teachers; and, finally, by means of classroom observations in three classes. The data was analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The teachers expressed a range of views, reflecting the diverse views in the research literature. However, most of the participants responding to the questionnaire indicated that they felt that English should be the main language of the classroom.

At the same time, these participants and all others (the former teachers and the teachers in the classes observed) acknowledged that occasional use of Arabic (or, where relevant, other first languages), for particular purposes was appropriate. The purposes they cited were: explaining particular vocabulary items or phrases; clarifying classroom procedures (e.g. for particular tasks or activities); giving instructions and making sure that the instructions were understood; and, maintaining classroom discipline.

These views appear to be guiding classroom practice in the three classes that I observed. The teachers were using the students’ first languages for these purposes. In my concluding chapter, I recommend that, in initial teacher education in Oman, more attention should be given to these communicative functions of translation and first language use, while emphasising the importance of using as much English as possible in EFL teaching in the early years. The most appropriate way to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) is a source of primary scholarly debate.

Recently, more attention has been given to the use of translation and the native language (L1) in communicative English Language Teaching (ELT). Most of the theories inform us that young childrens language development is influenced by many factors, including using their first language to explain concepts and express abstract reasoning.