ERIC Number: EJ1083092
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Sep
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1916-4742
EISSN: N/A
Using L1 in Teaching Vocabulary to Low English Proficiency Level Students: A Case Study at the National University of Laos
Latsanyphone, Soulignavong; Bouangeune, Souvannasy
English Language Teaching, v2 n3 p186-193 Sep 2009
Many English professionals do not seem to pay much attention to the use of L1 in English language classrooms, based on the tenets that English should be taught in English to expose the learners to English which would enhance their knowledge of English and accelerate their learning. While research findings have been inconsistent in relation to this position, the results of the present study found evidence to the contrary. Using 169 students of a low proficiency level, it was found that using learners' mother tongue (L1) to teach English as a foreign language in Laos enhanced their retention of new vocabulary items both in isolation and in context. This is possibly due to clear definitions and explanations in L1, dictation quiz and translation exercises in the classroom. This would have implications for English professionals.
Descriptors: Native Language, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Language Proficiency, Vocabulary Development, Retention (Psychology), Foreign Countries, Definitions, Language Tests, Instructional Effectiveness, Translation, Pretests Posttests, Teaching Methods, Control Groups, Experimental Groups, Undergraduate Students, Majors (Students), Case Studies
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Laos
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A