Longman.com educational images  

For Teachers For Students Companion Websites Join Us Online Catalogue Pearson Worldwide

arrow Young Learners Home
divide
Student's Activities
divide
Teachers' Resources
divide
ELT World
divide
Join Us
divide
Companion Websites
divide
Dictionaries
divide
Catalogue
divide
Pearson Education Worldwide
Teaching Tips

English and the Mother Tongue in the English Language Classroom

Children will use mother tongue when speaking to each other, except during language practice activities.

woman with children

Children will use mother tongue to speak to the teacher until they are ready to use English.

In exceptional circumstances (such as when comforting a child who is crying) the teacher will use mother tongue to speak to an INDIVIDUAL child.

Do you agree with these statements?

 

Of course, our aim is to have a classroom in which the teacher and the children speak English all the time. This is our destination. But the route to achieve that destination is somewhat different.

 

Starting out

You can conduct entire lessons in English with very young children but your use of English must be consistent from the very first lesson.

When you meet your class for the first time, introduce yourself in English. Say, "I'm [YOUR NAME]," and point to yourself. Repeat this two or three times. Write your name on the board and get the children to repeat your name.

 

Who speaks English?

confused boy

Don't pretend that you can't speak or understand the mother tongue. It's just that you are an English teacher, so you speak in English.

Don't force the children to speak to each other in English except during language practice activities. If the children speak to you in mother tongue, understand what they are saying and respond in English. When the children have some ability in English, you might respond by asking them to try to ask their question in English but never REFUSE to understand them in their mother tongue.

If you are a native speaker of English, it will help to learn at least the basics of the children's mother tongue.

 

Can I maintain discipline in English?

sleeping childCommunicate your disapproval or anger with your voice, your eyes and your posture. You don't need to use mother tongue.

 

 

What should I do if my English is not very good?

Learn some basic phrases for organizing the class. Diana Webster and Ann Worrall in English Together suggest the following 'Classroom Language'.

You will discover that the children learn this classroom language very quickly because they will hear you saying it so frequently!

 

Conclusions

If you follow the advice above, you will find that the children's comprehension of spoken English will develop rapidly. At the same time, they will become more confident in their own ability to understand. You will soon reach your target of a classroom in which both teacher and children use English nearly all the time!

happy children

 

Back to top