As ESL teachers we have all heard it before. “Don’t use native language in the classroom. English only.” As an ESL teacher in my 7th year, I have heard this countless times from administrators and fellow teachers. I used to hear it so much that I was afraid to use even a bit of Spanish with my dual immersion class. It had to be English all day, every day. However, as I have advanced in my teaching and understanding of bilingualism I have changed this practice. I’m here to tell you that it’s ok to use a student’s native language in the classroom. As long as we are mindful of the specific purpose of using native language in the classroom. So today I want to share with you a list I made of when to use native language in the classroom.
content specific language
When we are teaching content specific language such as in science and even reading and writing, it can be an important time to use native language in the classroom to explain specific concepts. For example if you are teaching about the writing process some of those concepts can be difficult to explain when students don’t yet speak basic English. When I am teaching about a specific topic and notice that after several tries to explain a concept my students still are not understanding, I will give a few quick translations.
It’s important to note that there are several steps to take before this. There are so many strategies we can use to help our ELLs. For example, before I use native language, I make sure to explain in English with pictures, movements and acting out, and explain in different ways using cognates when possible. However, sometimes even this doesn’t work. For example, the other day while teaching writing I found that the word “draft” was difficult to explain to a student. I can’t really show a picture, or act it out well. This was a moment when I quickly paused and gave him the word for “draft” in his native language.
After I give a student a word in their native language I make sure they understand and then I give them the word again in English and ask them to repeat it. From then on I make sure that they are using the English word whenever they reference it. When we use native language in the classroom it should be just to reinforce or clarify a concept. It shouldn’t be more than once for that concept. It’s just a quick way to clarify a concept and then we should continue to use the word in English to reinforce.
Grammar
Another area that I have found to be successful in using native language in the classroom is when teaching grammar. As someone who learned Spanish as a second language, I was fascinated by the times that I was able to make a direct connection between a gramatical concept in Spanish and English. For example, understanding that verbs in Spanish that end in “ando” or “iendo” are the same as verbs in English that end in “ing.”
When we use native language in the classroom to teach grammar it helps students to make direct connections between English and their native language. I strongly believe that while natural acquisition is of course crucial in learning a second language, so is explicit teaching. Grammar is a great time to reference a students’ native language so that they can make direct connections between a grammatical concept in their native language and in English.
Of course you do not want to over use a student’s native language in the classroom. It is important to be intentional about when you are using native language. It shouldn’t be for all grammar concepts, just the ones where it makes the most sense and you can provide students with a clear example in their native language as well as in English.
Relationship building
The last and most important area where I use native language in the classroom is with relationship building. As teachers we all know that relationship building is such a crucial part of a positive classroom environment. It can be your saving grace with students and make your teaching year smooth sailing.
Particularly at the beginning of the year I will use quite a bit of native language as I am welcoming students to the classroom and learning about them. My students simply don’t have a high enough English level at the beginning of the year to communicate with me in English. In the first few weeks my goal is to get to know students and build a relationship with them. So for the start, a part of this has to be in their native language.
I most certainly ensure to use plenty of English as well during this time and I always start with English. However, these first few weeks of school are when I will more quickly help them out with their native language when I see that they are not understanding. I don’t want students to be intimidated by me speaking to them in English. I want them to be comfortable and confident speaking to me in their native language before we dive into English.
Throughout the year I will still use native language when having conversations at recess with students to ensure continued relationship building. I make sure to include a few questions in their native language as well as in English. This allows students to practice some of their conversational English, but also share what they want to in their native language.
HOW MUCH NATIVE LANGUAGE CAN I USE?
I wish I could tell you exactly how many words of native language to use in the classroom each day. Unfortunately, that’s not the way teaching works! As we all know, teaching is about a trial and error process. See what works for your class. Some days it might be a bit more than others. My two biggest pieces of advice regarding using native language in the classroom are these:
- Don’t be afraid to use native language when you feel confident it will enhance student learning.
- Be intentional and as consistent as possible in regards to when you do use native language in the classroom.
So there you have it! Let’s talk more about this, I love this subject! Do you use native language in the classroom? When? How?