Job Discussion Forums

[moonraven]

How much first language interference is okay in the classroom?

[cybercutie]

Good question, moonraven. I wonder that myself.

[ls650]

[moonraven]

Yep. All those.

[Guy Courchesne]

Hey a teaching thread!

Both in our TEFL program practice modules and in ESL classes, I think Spanish in the classroom has a place in the lesson, depending on stage and the activity.

I believe that straight translation should be a last resort when working on new vocabulary. A good class plan shouldn't be introducing vocabulary so far beyond the students that translation is required, though it happens.

At times, language pattern analysis may be needed, I think, at beginner levels or very high levels. By analysis, I usually mean grammar or specific writing styles. Sometimes it can be a benefit to explain in L1, outside of teaching, in order to have the students find a grammar pattern, or to work around style concepts such as the weight that a certain expression may carry in a busniess letter context, for example.

In pair and groupwork, sometimes task instructions can be given in Spanish, particularly if the instructions themselves are well above the students levels.

I find it common that lower-level students ask higher level students in a whispered voice what the meaning or translation of a word is (que dijo la maestra?). I see that as helping to even out a mixed level class.

Also in pair and groupwork, I think it common that the students negotiate the end language product in L1 before returning to the class and teacher in English. I think if the activity didn't specifically focus on English used to negotiate the end product, then I would let it go. If the activity specifically called for both English in negotiation (Q&A, asking permission, and similar functions) and an end product in English, then it is important to restrict L1 use at this stage.

I've watched non-native EFL teachers use nothing but Spanish when teaching beginning groups...pure translation and analytical work. It seems to bring beginner students up to a communicative level quicker than immersion, when talking about adult learners.

[Tamara]

[MixtecaMike]

Enforcing a Second Language Only policy in a classroom is a terrible thing, it basically says your language is bad, our language (in this case, English) is good.

Punishing kids for speaking their native language at school went out in the 1950's in most parts of the world (hopefully), so why do ESL teachers try to enforce it now? To cover up their own inablity to communicate effectively with students. i.e. You can't understand me so I'm damned if I'll let you communicate with your peers.

Thinking back to my numerous language classes at elementary, secondary, university and even private language schools in Oz and NZ I am certain I NEVER had a teacher that refused to speak English at all.

I doubt many English speakers who study another language have either. (Please note I said MANY, not ANY)

In all seriousness, "English Only" is just pure imperialism, at its worst.

(Excuse the rave, it's just that this subject is very dear to my heart)

[Guy Courchesne]

Some of our teachers have taken Spanish classes in Mexico where they were in a total immersion environment. I've heard of this for French class as well, in Montreal. It makes a very big difference if you study the language in a country where that same language is dominant.

Mike, you hit the $10 question...effective communication. There is a language between English and Spanish that we can all access...the language we think in naturally, which is image, feeling, sensation, that which doesn't need words and that all humans as animals share.

Even a beginner class can be shown the word 'mother' without translation by using universal images of a baby held by a female figure.

Moonraven, I'd like to hear your answer on this. Didn't I read in another thread that you haven't done straight EFL work, instead working in various levels of primary and secondary education, as well as post-secondary? I try to bring our previosly mentioned Socratic approach into my ESL classes, even at basic levels, Curious if this was in your thinking...and how that works for you in this context.

[moonraven]

Thanks for asking, Guy. I asked the question that started this thread because I feel that although it's a simple question, the subject is very complex.

The only environment in which I have taught and trained teachers where no Spanish was permitted after the first 20 minutes of the first class of Basic English I was that of Harmon Hall. The party line there was very firm: NO SPANISH--and there were signs in every classroom reminding the students of the rule (along with NO FOOD and NO SMOKING). As director, teacher and academic coordinator, I obviously enforced that rule and trained other teachers to do so as well.

Because HH advertises its policy and students pay money to have that policy applied to them, I really didn't see it as blatant imperialism--or at least no more blatant than the policy of the Mexican government to insist on "Engli