What is your opinion of teaching second language using first language in the English as Second language class?

Answer 1

I think using first language to teach the second one, if done in very small doses, is ok but I would only use it at a very low beginner level. The real danger exists when the teacher falls into the trap of always explaining things in the first language because it's more expedient. I have taught teachers how to teach ESL but before that I taught immigrants for 18 years. Quite often in my class there might be 6+ languages spoken. I speak 6 languages myself and sometimes I had students who spoke some of those. I learned the hard way though, because once the knew that I knew their language, they always asked me questions in "our" shared language and subsequently it was almost impossible to make them speak English. Using the first language makes both students and teachers "lazy" because they don't have to struggle to make each other understood. And yet it is this very struggle to communicate that is the impetus for learning a language. Language in and of itself has absolutely no other use than to communicate with another human being. I would like to give you the basic principles of teaching ESL. 1. Language learning is more successful when listening and speaking precede reading and writing. In the early stages (beginner) students should read and write ONLY what they can say orally. 2. Language is systematic; it has patterns. Ss learn languages best with practice using those patterns. 3. Language learning activities work best in a student centered classroom where there should me maximum activity by the Ss. Students don't learn by merely listening to the teacher, NOR BY SPEAKING THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE. 4. Teach natural English. Teach the English which is appropriate to the situation. Always speak at a normal speed with normal intonation. (do not exaggerate these by speaking too slow to beginners) 5. Language and culture are inseparable so it's important to teach the non-verbal cues as well. It is important for a teacher to know the students' cultural background and to know something about that culture. (you are ahead in that aspect because I assume you are of the same culture). 7. Your attitude is really important. By encouraging your students, by being patient, kind and understanding a language class can be fun. One last thing I would like to remind all language teachers - don't talk too much; you are already fluent in the language YOU don't need any more practice but your students do. I always remind Ss of this when they speek their native language - I tell them they are already perfect in it and they can now relax and stop practicing it. Humour goes a long way in the language classroom. Good Luck

Answer 2

I think it's a bad idea. It greatly reduces the amount of input to students. Years of experience has shown that translating from the first language is not the most effective way to go about teaching any language. It is completely possible to use only the target language when teaching any language.

E-mail me for more info. Where are you coming from?

Answer 3

I don't think it's a good idea. Learners will just switch to their own language when they don't have the word. The chance of listening and speaking will drop dramatically. And these are the first two skills that learners have to acquire. We ought to use target language to teach target language! That's why immersion programme are so popular around the world.

Answer 4

I agree with drshorty....I don't think using the first language is such a good idea, either. I'm an ESL teacher myself and I find that students learn more when I try and explain things using every trick I know and them trying to think about what I'm trying to tell them! somehow it sinks in and they tend to remember it more that way!

Answer 5

Nothing wrong with that. Actually its much easier to understand English if it would be taught in your own dialect.

Answer 6

I like it - total immersion is suppose to be the best method.

Good Luck!!!