L1 in an English classroom: forbidden or welcomed? (talk) We all sometimes use L1 in our classrooms: to tell off a naughty student, to give complicated instructions, or even to traslate a word. However, it almost never feels right. As though we reveal our weakness. What if use L1 in a principled way? Will our learners really benefit? Will it help them finally see how different the two languages are, and that translation in fact does not always work? Let’s find out. Three takeaways Participants will: 1 learn when L1 usage is appropriate 2 learn how L1 can be used for learning purposes 3 get practical ideas on how to use L1

1. L1 in an English classroom:
forbiddenor welcomed?
MarynaMyronyuk
International LanguageCentre

2. Is it a good idea to use L1 in the
classroom?
How can L1 serve learning
purposes?
When and how can L1 be used at
the grammar lesson?
1
2
3

3. Howoften doyou use
L1 inthe classroom
andwhy?

4. Teachers
use L1 to
● discipline students
● give suggestions on how to learn
more effectively
● explain difficult concepts or ideas
● help define some new vocabulary
or grammar items
● give instructions

5. Whatarethe disadvantages?

6. Disadvantages
● restricts the students’ exposure to
English
● L1 is used more than planned or
expected to
● students fail to observe distinctions
between two languages,
oversimplify to the point of using
inaccurate translation.

7. Use translationto
avoidtranslation

8. ● to notice the difference between L1
and the target language in form,
meaning and use
● to raise students’ awareness of
misleading similarities between the
two languages
What I mean

9. Presentation
Practice
Production
Test
Teach
Test

10. Test

11. Привіт, Джеймсе,
Кілька слів про мою квартиру. В ній чотири кімнати:
спальня, вітальня, ванна та кухня. У спальні подвійне
ліжко і стіл, за яким ти можеш працювати. У вітальні
ДВД-програвач та купа фільмів (англійською!). На
жаль, їдальні немає, але в кухні є стіл і два стільці.
Сусідів немає, так що можеш вмикати музику на
повну.

12. Controlledpractice

13. Peer check
Dictation
Chinese whisper (oral or “written”)
Reverse translation (immediate, delayed, dictation)

14. Bibliography
● Kerr, P. (2014) Translation and Own-Language Activities.
CUP
● Deller,S., Rinvolucri M. (2002) Using the Mother Tongue.
Cengage Learning

15. ANY
QUESTIONS?

16. THANK YOU!

17. ILC DoS
CELT-P/STrainer
Cambridge English: FCE, YLE, KET Speaking Examiner
Maryna Myronyuk
maryna.myronyuk@ilc.org.ua
www.ilc.org.ua
facebook: maryna.myronyuk
linkiden:maryna.myronyuk