Using First Language as a Mediating Tool to Help Students Generate Ideas During Second Language Learning Activity

Noor ‘Izzati Ahmad Shafiai, Fauziah Abdul Rahim and Abderrahim Benlahcene
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Noor ‘Izzati Ahmad Shafiai: Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA
Fauziah Abdul Rahim: School of Education, Universiti Utara Malaysia
Abderrahim Benlahcene: Department of Psychology, Ajman University

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2024, vol. 8, issue 9, 2079-2087

Abstract: Encouraging students’ participation in discussions fosters idea exploration, yet low-proficient students face challenges in English-medium classrooms. Grounded in Sociocultural Theory, this paper investigates how students with limited English proficiency use Malay (L1) as a mediator for idea generation in English (L2) discussions. Through a one-hour L2 writing task involving three low-proficiency and three mixed-proficiency students, the study uncovers that L1 serves as a mediator when students feel their L2 speech fails to express their thoughts effectively, hindering their contribution of ideas. Furthermore, mixed-proficiency students seek L2 words for the writing task, while low-proficiency students define L2 terms in L1 to generate ideas. Engaging students in L1 is posited as means to enhance idea exploration in L2 activities.

Date: 2024
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