ELTWeekly Vol. 5 Issue#20 | June 10, 2013 | ISSN 0975-3036
Abstract
This article begins by discussing whether students of second and foreign languages (hereafter, “second language” will be used to refer to both foreign and second languages) should be encouraged to use their second language (L2) with classmates when doing group activities. Reasons for both L2 and L1 (first language) use are discussed with reference to Second Language Acquisition (SLA) theory. Practical issues are also explored. Thereafter, the bulk of the article contains ideas about how to encourage students to use their L2 for peer interaction. Twenty-nine such ideas are explained. These are divided into five sections: a role for the L1; understanding the issue; creating a conducive climate; providing language support; and the task.