View Content #26503

By Christopher Daradics, CASLS Language Technician

As we know all too well, clear, intentional communication can be difficult to achieve, let alone maintain. Finding the right word, clearly communicating your intention, and conscientiously sequencing information for the benefit of your interlocutors are cognitively demanding tasks and sometimes even emotionally exhausting. Also as we know, these same difficulties, and more, are often heightened while developing and practicing a second language.

In order to ease the cognitive load, stress, and complexity of improving one’s second language skills it can be quite helpful to reach for the stable ground of a first language. Using a first language, learners can rely on a familiar and stable scaffolding to help them find ways of moving out of their comfort zone and deeper into their zone of proximal development. Along these lines, learners’ second language development will be greatly aided by three key activities: 1) cultivating social relationships that afford target language engagement, 2) establishing routines and patterns that bolster target language participation and identity, and 3) consolidating knowledge gained “in the field” into a coherent mental framework or model.

Performance in each of these areas can be greatly enhanced by relying on an L1 as illustrated below.

Use a first language to facilitate social contact and relationships development

Expert English speakers have a skill many people around the world interested in developing, proficiency in the English language. Setting up a language exchange is an excellent, low-stakes way to initiate social interaction. Online services, language programs, and study abroad centers can be instrumental in helping eager learners find language partners.

Developing plans for language contact may be easier in a first language. First, at the level of corresponding with a language partner about a time and place to meet, especially the first time, it makes sense to agree on plans in the language with the highest degree of fidelity. It can also be beneficial to stick with a first language when it comes to studying tactics and strategizing about how to develop relationships. The same principle can also be applied to reflection and self-evaluation, especially at the earlier stages of language learning.

Build routines and habits that strengthen TL performance and identity

The routine of going to a gym (e.g. cross-fit) or other socially sanctioned collective activity (e.g. drumming circle, capoeira club, performance group) can be a great way to jump into a target language community with shared interests. Using a first language can be a helpful way of finding and getting started in an activity that integrates learners’ lifestyles and personal interests with language contact.

Developing a habit of writing questions and observations about the TL is a great way to stay engaged and keep information flowing. This practice will be much easier and faster in the L1. As proficiency grows learners can begin to take notes in their target language as the context affords. In addition to quickly jotting notes for language study, the notes can also be used to remember information about social contacts. Using this information in follow up interactions will allow more personal connection with language partners.

The habit of noticing and exploring connections between a first language and a target language is also productive. Activities like identifying cognates, comparing/contrasting pragmatic norms, and comparing/contrasting formal structures are all ways to leverage first language knowledge to get a better handle on the target language. The noticing and exploring can be in a journal or through conversation. In conversation, when topics go beyond a learner’s target language skill, it can still be beneficial to carry on the interaction in the learner’s first language. Expressing genuine interest in understanding ourselves and others better demonstrates solid character and will have the effect of attracting quality, suitable language partners.

“Make sense” by using whatever conceptual systems (languages, objects, environments, tools) are available

Some aspects of unfamiliar languages and cultures can require heavy cognitive lifting to begin to understand. Where possible, it may be helpful to switch into a first language simply to understand what is going on (like a busy festival) or why something is the way it is (like a revered building or structure).

Reading about and practicing open awareness and focused attention (Seigel, 2018) in a first language can also be a helpful tool in attempting to explore and encounter the target language, as much as possible, on its own terms. By consciously practicing quieting the “first language mind” learners can better position themselves to encounter the target langua-culture with a more open mind.

Reference

Siegel, D. J. (2018). Aware: The Science and Practice of Presence. New York: TarcherPerigee.