An enduring contribution of Richards Sparks' work has been his exploration of the relationship between a learner's first language (L1) and a language that he or she learns subsequently (L2). The present paper considers that relationship from the perspective of learners and teachers of a 'foreign' language in classroom settings. The paper first…

There has been a considerable shift in opinion in recent years concerning the use of language learners' first language (L1) in the teaching and learning of the second language (L2). Recent research has revealed that L1 use is less problematic than once believed. That research, however, has yet to consider the multiple contextual factors affecting…

In China, code-switching (CS) is frequently used in English as a foreign language (EFL) classrooms. However, the functions of CS in Chinese secondary schools remain unclear. Moreover, student perceptions have rarely been considered in previous studies. This paper therefore sets out to examine why English teachers code-switch in EFL classrooms. In…

The aim of this article is to explore how the teaching of English as a foreign language is planned in three plurilingual state schools in Catalonia. We carried out classroom observations (first and second grade of primary education) and interviewed the English teachers who teach these lessons and the headmasters of the three schools. The use of…

This study investigates the role EFL teachers attribute to their linguistic and cultural repertoire in the professional learning process during induction. The study draws on the understanding that teacher learning occurs at the interplay between teachers' language and cultural background and teachers' experiences within the sociocultural context…

The role and usage of (L1) in the teaching-learning of (L2) has been a controversial issue between supporters and opponents of such a role and usage, without reaching a settled conclusion, and without, as far as the researcher knows, defining the attributes, setting up limits and boundaries, providing a scope, and spotting any referential point,…

This article recounts the lived experience of a Rwandan English teacher's journey from his village to international opportunities for scholarship and work, enabled by his agency in navigating the country's changing linguistic landscape. Using the narrative inquiry research method, the study uncovers an insider's perspective on Rwanda's switch from…

In terms of language teaching, individuals' ability to master their native language and grammar rules directly affects foreign language acquisition processes. Considering this situation, which is also defined as "interdisciplinary" the background of foreign language learning processes in the context of the native language should be…

This mixed method research aimed to: (a) investigate the practical ways that mothe rtongue language (L1) can be used to facilitate teaching and learning in an English speaking classroom context and in high level education for public university undergraduates; (b) explore how public university undergraduates use their L1 to help them study in…

The role of students' first language(s) in foreign language classrooms has been hotly debated in the last decades. Although this line of research has advanced our understanding of language choice in the L2 classroom, it has mostly dealt with adolescent and adult learners. From a contextual perspective, then, more micro-analytic research that…

This study investigates the potential of individual, collaborative, and E-collaborative writing modalities on the development of syntactic complexity (SC), their sustained effect on SC development, and the potential meditating role of SC of L1 (First Language) in SC of L2 (Second Language). To this end, 90 Iranian intermediate EFL learners…

The position of the English language in the world has recently undergone an enormous shift. The global spread of English has altered its status from being a homogeneous and standard language spoken by a few powerful countries into an international language or lingua franca spoken by a wide variety of speakers around the world (Llurda, 2004). The…

The present study investigated non-native speaker (NNS) teachers' data-driven criteria in scoring multiple-rejoinder written discourse completion test tasks (MR-WDCT) and their points of (mis)match with expert-driven criteria. Specifically, this study scrutinized factors considered by NNS experienced and novice teachers in evaluating responses to…

To write a linguistic autobiography is to explore and reflect on our lived experiences with language. The purpose of this research was to gain insight into students' language experiences through their linguistic autobiographies and to gain a greater understanding of their relationship with and thoughts on language within their social contexts. In…

Histories of colonization conjointly with the current economic global climate have enabled English to become a dominant global language. The desire for citizens to attain English language proficiency on a nation-wide level is a common pursuit in developing countries, including the island nations of the South Pacific where English competency is…