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Using The Mother Tongue

How to use the mother tongue.

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Vinícius Dias
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326 views2 pages

Using The Mother Tongue

How to use the mother tongue.

Uploaded by

Vinícius Dias
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF or read online on Scribd
BOOK REVIEW Using the Mother Tongue: Making the most of the learner’s language. Sheelagh Deller and Mario Rinvolucri (2002) First Person Publishing/ENGLISH TEACHING professional/Delta Publishing ISBN 0-954198.61-1 Reviewed by: Jennifer Murray ennifer Murry ks the Divecor of Studies ot the English Centre in Linares Jan, and local coordinator for TESOL-SPAIN in Jaén The use ofthe mother tongue in EFL classrooms has been officially frowned upon for many years now, However, as the authors of Using the Mother Tongue point out, by excluding the use of our students’ first Tanguages in our lessons we are ignoring one of the ‘most important resources learners have for language Jearing. While advocating the use of the mother tongue in “clearly defined circumstances and in carefully crafted activities” (10) to enhance our learners’ noviledge ofthe target language, the authors’ overall aim isto reduce learners’ dependence on the mother tongue. The authors believe that using the mother tongue asa too for observing the target language and how it works i far more effective for learning and for reducing mother tongue dependence than imposing a strict ban, After reading Using the Mother Tongue and trying out a few activities in my lessons, 1 ‘wholeheartedly agree with them. “The book begins with personal prefaces from both ofthe authors describing the teaching experiences that ‘convinced them to use the mother tongue in their classrooms, A prologue by Luke Prodromou follows, highlighting the potential benefits of using the mother tongue and reminding us of the potential dangers of mother tongue abuse. The contents page provides an at-a-glance guide toall the activities and the levels they are most appropriate for. The introduction is essential reading, containing a summary ofthe authors’ approach andthe benefits for both students and teachers of using. the mother tongue, an outline ofthe book and a quick users’ guide to the activities. The epilogue contains two thought-provoking articles from Professor Guy ‘Cook and Andrew Morris on their mother tongue ‘experiences. The short appendix includes some extra puzzle stories and texts to use in the activities. The book itselfs well designed and clearly laid out, inviting you to flick through and select some activities, The introduction highlights how using the mother tongue in the classroom can help create a safe ‘environment for our learners, especially important at beginner levels. Higher level students will welcome the opportunity offered by mother tongue activities to use their linguistic intelligence, Using what the authors term “the mother tongue grammar mieroe” (10) enables students at al levels to gain a deeper understanding of| English grammar. Finally, new vocabulary can be presented clearly, with students Teaming the similarities and differences between English and mother tongue worus. Using mother tongue activities can also henefit us a teachers in several ways. Perhaps. ‘most importantly, these activities can be liberating, breaking as they do the constraints of the mother tongue taboo. We can also help our students to become more linguistically aware of different aspects of English and their mother tongue, increase student autonomy and maximise limited linguistic resources - the students’ knowledge of English or indeed our teacher knovledge ofthe students’ mother tongue. Teachers with limited knowledge of their students’ mother tongue, or indeed teachers of ‘multilingual classes, may feel uncomfortable about using mother tongue activites with their students; however, the authors ate quick to provide reassurance here. \Peeia Ra Feeling inspired? oot ten arnt wagon sft hcp Pera eeedaoyay re nstnebreet pera srau naten orcanee tang unanes cone as sneer aiae Satel tes oe er Packed with crosswords, quizzes and many other word games for young children these books wil be great for any teacher preparing upls forthe tests, but they could also bo used as fun practice mater fle supplement any primary course, With @ userfrenaly format and & ‘ulk reterence guide to fnd the language you need they are simple ‘and easy to se and cover a wide varity of language. So, the Books. {are great, but we need an appropriately fun and orginal tle! For the best trae ents we are offering a st (book and cassette) of ‘ur new tile fr teachers of Young Leamers- Teling Tales in English "Toling Tales’ contains photocaplable pages of wellknown and much loved stories, wth accompanying activities for use with pupils aged 8- ‘1 years = they are designed to help teachers axplt similar stores wih tei clas. Pease send your etios to 160 Brown Dat Pubehing 38 Aranda Road ‘Adaestone ‘Sierey KTIS 200 Engin (O

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