CHALLENGES OF USING EMI

RE-EXAMINING L1 USE IN THE CLASSROOM

STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES

Mouhamad Mouhanna

TESOL Sudan 26th Feb 2015

UAE University, UFP

mmouhanna@uaeu.ac.ae

QUICK QUIZ

1. Does your institution tolerate some L1 use in your EFL teaching?

Y N

QUICK QUIZ2. In your classroom do you allow the use of L1 by students?

Y N

QUICK QUIZ

3. Should students’ opinions be reflected in educational policy?

N Y

QUICK QUIZ

4. In your opinion, does the English only EFL Classroom really exist?

Y N

INTRODUCTIONDespite recent studies illustrating the value of limited L1 use in the

classroom, it is still discouraged by most EFL institutions.

Based on a set of student data we will explore the potential role of L1

in EFL teaching.

DURING THIS SESSION WE PLAN TO:

1. Explore the prominent views regarding the use of L1 in the literature.

2. Report on the findings of a small- scale research project about university students’ perceptions of the role of L1 in the EFL classroom

3. Investigate the rationale for discouraging L1 use in EFL tertiary programs

LITERATURE REVIEWRECENT STUDIES OPPOSED TO THE ENGLISH ONLY POLICY HAVE BEEN BASED ON:

1.Critical explorations of the English only axiom

2.Studies on cognitive and multilingual functioning that demonstrate the collaborative interaction between L1 and L2.

3.The role of L1 in L2 learning based on a Vygotskian socio-cultural framework

1. CRITICAL EXPLORATIONS OF THE ENGLISH ONLY AXIOM: Phillipson (1992) challenges the belief that ‘English is

best taught monolingually”, as a fallacy rooted in colonialism.

It facilitates the way for another fallacy namely “the ideal teacher of English is a native English speaker”.

This fallacy helps to absolve NESTs from needing to learn or learn about their students’ L1 (p.192), and subsequently supports NESTs’ dominant status.

Disempowers the L1‘The ethos of monolingualism implies the rejection of the

experiences of other languages, meaning the exclusion of the child’s most intense existential experience” (p.189).

1. CRITICAL EXPLORATIONS OF THE ENGLISH ONLY AXIOM:

Auerbach’s (1993) arguments follows a similar vein, and details U.S. based studies where the L1 was effectively incorporated in ESL learning.

EFL policy’s approach towards L1 is all or nothing, has ideological roots, with limited backing from research

Her study, she asserts‘It reduces anxiety and enhances the affective environment for

learning, takes into account sociocultural factors, facilitates incorporation of learners’ life experiences, and allows for learner- centered curriculum development. Most importantly it allows for language to be used as a meaning- making tool and for language learning to become a means of communicating ideas rather than an end in itself’ (p.20).

2. STUDIES BASED ON COGNITION AND MULTILINGUAL FUNCTIONING

Storch and Wigglesworth ‘s (2003) study demonstrates that L1 provides ‘cognitive support’ during language analysis and in the completion of cognitively demanding tasks. It allows students to work at cognitively higher levels and may be a normal psychological process’ (p.768).

Herman et al (1998) question whether language learners should be expected to or are even capable of suppressing L1 during L2 retrieval tasks .

Scott and de la Fuente (2008) conclude that students not permitted to use L1 during a grammar peer activity displayed reduced and fragmented levels of interaction, imposing difficult cognitive demands, which will “hinder the use of class talk, and impede ‘natural’ learning strategies”.

3. THE ROLE OF L1 IN L2 LEARNING BASED ON VYGOTSKIAN SOCIO-CULTURAL FRAMEWORKS

Studies within a Vygotskian socio-cultural framework highlight the scaffolding role that L1 plays in the production of L2 particularly in peer work.

In a study based on collaborative writing tasks where students used L1, Anton and DiCamilla (1998) found the L1 moved learners through their zone of proximal development and played a ‘strategic cognitive role in scaffolding’ (p. 319).

HOW MUCH L1 IS TOO MUCH?

Although the literature supports L1 use, it does not support its random use (Wilkins 1974, Atkinson 1987, Mai-ling 1996, Scott De la Fuente 2008)

Mai-ling (1996) highlights that teachers need to ensure that there is critical reflection around the ‘sensible’ use of L1 in the EFL classroom

Atkinson (1987) supports a productive use of L1 (5%)

RE-EXAMINING L1 USE IN THE CLASSROOMSTUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES

RATIONALE

L1 is considered by some teachers as a hindrance, while others view it as a beneficial tool in EFL teaching. Students’ perceptions regarding this pedagogical question however, is often overlooked.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

What are students thoughts about the use of L1 in the classroom?

What were students’ previous experiences in the high schools?

Do the opinions of students at the different English levels vary?

What is the policy regarding the use of L1 in the classroom and what is their rationale?

METHODOLOGY

A Quantitative and Qualitative (mixed method) study based mainly on survey

findings.

A survey for students was designed with Likert 5 point questions.

Interview with the Head of a tertiary English foundation program

PARTICIPANTS

Survey respondents were 124 new students from Beginner Level (40) Intermediate Level

(46) Advanced Level (38). All the students were female

The Head Of the English Program in a tertiary institution

DATA ANALYSIS

SPSS Basic Descriptive Statistics (means etc.).

Independent Samples T-Test to Identify Areas of Interest and trends

Trends/ patterns to be explored in depth through the open ended questions

RELIABILITY TEST

SPSS determined.

Cronbach's Alpha =0.612.

Reliability Test valid.

Survey answered Valid and not at random

Statistical Results

SURVEY QUESTIONS Do you think the use of Arabic in the classroom helps

you learn English? تعلم .1 على يساعدك الصف في العربية اللغة استخدام أن تعتقد هل

اإلنجليزية؟ اللغة Strongly Agree Agree No Opinion Disagree StronglyDisagree بشدة أوافق أوافق لي رأي ال أوافق بشدة أرفض

Do you think the use of Arabic in the classroom helps you learn English better?

على .11 يساعدك الصف في العربية اللغة استخدام أن تعتقد هلأفضل؟ بصورة اإلنجليزية اللغة تعلم

Strongly Agree Agree No Opinion Disagree Strongly Disagree ) ( ) بالتأكيد ) نعم نعم لي رأي ال ال بالتأكيد ال

RELIABILITY TEST

Levels

q1 q11

level 1

Mean

2.05 1.73

level 2

Mean

3.13 2.60

level 3

Mean

3.03 2.71

Statistical Results

Do you think the use of Arabic in the classroom helps you learn English?

تعلم .1 على يساعدك الصف في العربية اللغة استخدام أن تعتقد هلاإلنجليزية؟ اللغة

Strongly Agree Agree No Opinion Disagree Strongly Disagree

أوافق لي رأي ال أوافق بشدة أرفضبشدة أوافق

There was a significant difference between the Level 1 (n=2.05)and Level 2 (n=3.13)

And also a significant difference between level 1(n=2.05) and level 3 (n=3.03)

STATISTICAL RESULTS Do you like your teacher to use Arabic in class?

2. الصف؟ في العربية اللغة مدرسك يستخدم أن تحب هل

Strongly Agree Agree No Opinion Disagree Strongly Disagree

أوافق لي رأي ال أوافق بشدة أرفضبشدة أوافق

No significant differences between the 3 levels however means increase with level.

Level 1 (n= 2.38) Level 2 (n=2.93) Level 3 (n=3.11)

DO YOU THINK ARABIC SHOULD BE USED BY THE STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM?

اإلنجليزية؟ .7 اللغة حصص في الطلبة يستخدمها يجب العربية اللغة أن تعتقد هل

STRONGLY AGREE AGREE NO OPINION DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREEبشدة بشدة أرفض أوافق أوافق لي رأي ال أوافق ال أوافق

There was a significant difference between Level 1 (n=2.30)and 2 (n=3.61)

also between level 1(n=2.30) and level 3 (n=3.29)

no sig difference between level 2 and level 3

WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE TIME DO YOU THINK ARABIC SHOULD BE USED IN THE ENGLISH CLASS?

CHOOSE ONE.اللغة .8 استخدام يجب أنه تعتقد التي المئوية النسبة ما

اإلنجليزية؟ اللغة حصص أثناء في فيها العربية( 50 ) أكثر% 0% 5% 10% 20أو %

The lower level learners prefer more Arabic in the classroom

Level 1 n=3.67Level 2 n=3.07Level 3 n= 2.79

WAS ARABIC USED IN THE CLASSROOM WHEN YOU WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL?

Out of 124 students: 13 students answered No 10%

111 answered Yes 90%

QUALITATIVE RESULTS FROM STUDENTS

SAMPLE RESPONSES: LEVEL 1 STUDENTS IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE USE OF ARABIC IN YOUR ENGLISH CLASSES IN SECONDARY SCHOOL AND YOUR UNIVERSITY CLASSES?

في لكن و عربية المعلمة الثانوية المرحلة في ألن نظراالسرعة و الحروف في مختلفون إنجليزي المعلم .الجامعة

In high school teacher is Arabic, and in University the teacher is English they differ in their letters and speed.

اإلنجليزية اللغة قواعد لنا تشرح المعلمة كانت عندماعمي بكي فصم اآلن أما تقول ما نفهم كنا العربية باللغة

يسمعون ال .فهم When the teacher used to explain English

grammar through the Arabic language we were able to understand but now we are

‘Deaf, dumb and blind.’

SAMPLE RESPONSES: LEVEL 2 STUDENTS IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE USE OF ARABIC IN YOUR ENGLISH CLASSES IN SECONDARY SCHOOL AND YOUR UNIVERSITY CLASSES?

المدرسة من أكثر الجامعة في مطلوبة اإلنجليزية .ألن English is required more in the university

than the school .

بعد اإلنجليزية باللغة تشرح كانت الثانوية المرحلة فيحتى العربية الكلمات بعض تستخدم و الشرح تعيد ذلك

الجيد الفهم من .نتمكن At the secondary level, the teacher

explained in English, then re-explained by translating some of the words into Arabic, so that we would gain a better understanding.

SAMPLE RESPONSES: LEVEL 3 STUDENTS IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE USE OF ARABIC IN YOUR ENGLISH CLASSES IN SECONDARY SCHOOL AND YOUR UNIVERSITY CLASSES?

“There is the same because our teacher in the high school always used English only in the class because that was helpful for the student to overcome the challenges of talking in English”.

أن المعلم على يجب اإلنجليزية، باللغة اإلنجليزي نفهم كنا إناإلنجليزية اللغة .يستخدم

If we are to understand the English language, the teacher must use English.

HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN THE TEACHER USES ARABIC IN THE ESL CLASSROOM? LEVEL 1 RESPONDENTS

الحديث يمكنني حيث بالدي في بأني أحس و بالراحة أشعربطالقة العربية .باللغة

“I feel comfortable in my country where I can speak Arabic”.

المدرس يطلبه ما فهم و عنه الحديث أريد ما وصف بسهولة.بدقة

“Easily describe what I want to talk about and understand what the teacher requests”.

“When I speak Arabic with my English teacher sometime I feel comfortable and confident because I sure my sentence is good and I sure my sir not comment for my sentence”.

HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN THE TEACHER USES ARABIC IN THE ESL CLASSROOM? LEVEL 2 RESPONDENTS

“I can feel sometimes comfit win I speak English but not always I come her to learn not Arabic and I want to improve my language so I have to speak English but sometimes I like to speak to understand or to fun”.

كثير سهلة تكون و بسرعة تتبنى المعلومات بأن .أشعر I take that information quickly and easily.

HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN THE TEACHER USES ARABIC IN THE ESL CLASSROOM? LEVEL 3 RESPONDENTS

حصص في بالعربية تحدثت إذا اإلنجليزية أتعلم لن بأنني أشعراإلنجليزية .اللغة

I feel that I will not learn English if the teacher speaks Arabic.

العربية للغة أستخدمها و العربية اللغة حصة في كأنني و أشعراإلنجليزية اللغة تعلم على تساعدنا ال اإلنجليزية اللغة حصص في

£ِI feel like I am in an Arabic class and to use Arabic will not help us to learn English

EFL PROGRAM’S POLICY

Is there a place for L1 in the EFL classroom?

INSTITUTION POLICY “Well in general the institution prefers the

teachers or expects teachers to exclusively use English only in the classroom”.

“A few years ago they had to make it policy that teachers use English only in the class”.

(Head of English Program)

RATIONALE FOR THE INSTITUTION’S POLICY “It stems from the history of this place.

Students in the public school system spent a few years struggling with English and the vast majority of the teachers come from the Middle East. The teachers’ inadequate training and the main problem is that they use a lot of Arabic in the classroom.”

“The teachers understand they shouldn’t use it and students can complain about the use of Arabic”.

(Head of English

Program)

RATIONALE FOR THE INSTITUTION’S POLICY

“The university made that decision thinking that the use of L1 in the classroom is bad

because of the frustration with the experience in the primary and secondary school. This

frustration has resulted in them making such decisions that can be extreme without

thinking about the pedagogic implications so it’s not the linguist or applied linguist who has

decreed this but it’s the local administration who believe that Arabic is the problem.”

Head of English Program)

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

Level 1 students indicated a higher level of support for L1 (mean: 2.05) use compared to Level

3 students (mean: 3.03).

Reports of experiences with learning English at the secondary school level indicate that teachers

relied heavily on the use of L1 in their ESL teaching.

Most students saw potential benefits for their own use of L1 in their learning, with level one students

(2.3) demonstrating more support for this than level three students (3.29).

PEDAGOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE STUDY

The finding that lower level students who were more likely to support L1 use as a scaffolding tool, indicated that students identified this as an important part of effective learning.

Rather than being only an administration policy, students’ opinions regarding this pedagogical tool should also be taken into account in a collaborative decision making process. Teachers should encourage discussion around the role of L1 in EFL learning.

DO YOU THINK THE USE OF L1 CAN HELP STUDENTS?

“If used effectively yes but one can teach English without the use of Arabic”

(Head of English Program)

SOME FINAL THOUGHTS

“How often Arabic should be used in the classroom?”

“Rarely about 5% of the time”

(Head of English Program)

SOME USEFUL REFERENCES Anton, M. & DiCamilla, F. (1998). Socio-cognitive Functions of the L1

Collaborative Interaction in the L2 Classroom. Canadian Modern Language Review, 54, 314-342.

Atkinson, D. (1987). The mother tongue in the classroom: A neglected resource? ETL Journal, 41, 4, pp. 241-247.

  Auerbach, E. (1993). Reexamining English only in the ESL classroom. TESOL

Quarterly, vol. 27, 9- 32.   Schweers, C.W. (1999). Using L1 in the L2 classroom. English Teaching Forum,

37, 2, p. 6-13. Retrieved February 2008, from http://exchanges.state.gov./forum/vols/vol37/no2/p6.htm

  Storch, N. & Wigglesworth, G. (2003). Is there a role for the use of L1 in an L2

setting? TESOL Quarterly, 37, 4, 760-769.

Scott, V. and De La Fuente, M. (2008). What’s the Problem? L2 Learners’ Use of the L1 During Consciousness- Raising, Form focused Tasks. In The Modern Language Journal, 92, 1, 100-113.

Storch, N. & Wigglesworth, G. (2003). Is there a role for the use of L1 in an L2 setting? TESOL Quarterly, 37, 4, 760-769.