Dear tutors, what's your strategy or method to make less or eliminate the use of L1?
In an English class to encourage students speak more in English
17 answers from our tutors
Best answer
I wouldn't eliminate L1 but I would encourage more of the English as that is the best way to learn and speak the language.
Usually students try to add L1 wherever they feel difficulty so totally elimination of L1 may not be possible at early lavel, but my methodology will be based on encouragement by helping them with flashcards. Short stories with pictures, everyday communication, words meaning, movies and above all engage them into practice more and more.
Well it depends first and foremost we have to understand student's proficiency level we can't ignore L1 completely, even we have to use Google translator to help those who aren't proficient in L2.
Check your English level for free
Take our quick and free test to find out your current level of English
Start test
Dear Sunny Very good question 🍾 Reducing or eliminating the use of first language can be challenging but possible. Here are some strategies: 🎯Usage of target language more, it will also give more confidence 🎥🗣️Listen to music, watch movies , read books or speak with native speaker 🔂Avoid translating back in your native language 👀Use visual aids to learn new vocabulary and grammar 🎖️Try practicing every single day Hope this helped 🌻🙏 Regards Ms. Ayesha Jamal🙃
I would't eliminate the use of L1 because it's the part of the their proficiency but I have techniques to lessen and reduce the use of it and encourage to use English language as it is the best way to learn.
utilizing visual aids helps learners associate the concepts directly with L2, bypassing the need to resource to L1.
- Dr. Narone MitchellCertified TEYL Teacher
I wouldn`t eliminate the use of L1 but i would seek to reduce using it. Creating a balance one would say...
Gentle reminders. 😊
To use L2 exclusively. I tell the student that I will not translate any written messages in L1. I also tell them NOT to use google translate either. More often than not the lexis will be completely wrong and you can actually hear them typing into the app. I warn them three times and then I will call them out on the last instance and end the lesson. May seem a little brutal, but if students continually use L1 and a translate app, they will NEVER learn to speak English, full stop. If L1 written or spoken (including translate apps) are always used, the student will be wasting their time, as well as mine.
Use L2. I’m limited with the languages I speak, so chances are good I will not speak the L1 of my student. According to leading theorists we all have a natural ability to learn language. L1 is not necessary. This is consistent with my experience in the classroom.
I don't think there's a universal answer to that. How much - or little - the student will use L1 is definitely down to their proficiency level. You can't expect an A1 student to only speak English. L1 is a crutch they need. The less so the more their proficiency grows. And that's where we help them along.
