L1 in ELT: Friend or foe?

[Aris Qin]

Have a quick think about the reflective questions below in order to get the most out of the workshop:
1. When you were first trained as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language, what was said about the use of L1 (your students’ first language) in the English language classroom? How did you feel about this?
2. (How) has your attitude to the use of L1 in the English language classroom changed during your time as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language. Why/why not?
3. What examples of principled use of L1 in the EFL classroom are you familiar with? Would they work with your students? Why/Why not?

[Aris Qin]

1. I graduated from the University in Lviv (Ukraine )
in 1972.
The training was mostly in English, but some subjects were taught in Ukrainian.
2.I am trying to conduct my classes in English, though it depends on the group level.
Explaining the material to a weaker group I can use L1
(Ukrainian ) to be sure that it is understood.
Unfortunately, l couldn’t do it with my Chinese students and
I felt the difference
3. I believe that sometimes it is worth drawing a parallel between L1 and English to show both the similarities and differences.

– Svitlana Zdenianchyn

[Author]

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