<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The learner’s own language (commonly referred to as ‘L1’ or ‘first language’) has been neglected as a resource in the learning of another language and, in some contexts, it has been banned altogether. The arguments in favour of own-language exclusion are not supported by research and the policy is not followed by a majority of teachers. A reconsideration of these arguments and an awareness of practical suggestions for drawing on the learners’ own language as a resource for learning may help language teachers to enrich their repertoire of teaching techniques and activities.</p></abstract>

The learner’s own language (commonly referred to as ‘L1’ or ‘first language’) has been neglected as a resource in the learning of another language and, in some contexts, it has been banned altogether. The arguments in favour of own-language exclusion are not supported by research and the policy is not followed by a majority of teachers. A reconsideration of these arguments and an awareness of practical suggestions for drawing on the learners’ own language as a resource for learning may help language teachers to enrich their repertoire of teaching techniques and activities.

The learner’s own language

ExELL

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

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The learner’s own language (commonly referred to as ‘L1’ or ‘first language’) has been neglected as a resource in the learning of another language and, in some...

The learner’s own language

Published Online: Oct 08, 2016

Page range: 1 - 7

Received: Oct 02, 2015

Accepted: Feb 14, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/exell-2016-0007

Keywords
own language, L1, translation

© 2015 Philip Kerr, published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The learner’s own language

Published Online: Oct 08, 2016

Page range: 1 - 7

Received: Oct 02, 2015

Accepted: Feb 14, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/exell-2016-0007

Keywordsown language, L1, translation

© 2015 Philip Kerr, published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
own language, L1, translation