Using the Students' native language (LI)‎ in the ESL classroom to teach content material

Abstract EN

This paper discusses the controversial issue of which language to be used in teaching content material to students learning a second language.

The paper emphasizes the importance of using the students' native language in the teaching of content material while they are learning English as a second language (ESL).

The paper shows that the native language may be used as an auxiliary language to help clarify the content of the textbooks.

The paper shows that if both the first and second languages are used then the transition to the English-only classroom will be gradual and less difficult for students who are in the process of learning a second language.

In this case the student will be at the same level in content material, science and social studies, as his classmates are in the mainstream classroom.

The findings of this paper are based on a qualitative method : research.

I conducted interviews with teachers and principals where open ended questions were asked.