Damned if you do, damned if you don't : En litteraturstudie om användningen av förstaspråket i engelskundervisningen på mellanstadiet

Sammanfattning: The aim for this systematic literature study is to see how much of the first language (L1) that has to be in the English language (L2) classroom. The study is based on seven articles that have been analysed in order to see arguments for or against the use of the L1 language in the L2 classroom. The articles were all based on middle school teachers' experience, thoughts and feelings about the use of L1 in the classroom. The arguments that were brought up in the articles were categorised and identified, in order to make a better choice about when to use or to exclude L1 in their teachings. The background describes how English has developed in the Swedish school system and how different methods have been used in language classrooms around the world since the 19th century. The analysis of the literature study could conclude two different categories. The argument for the use of L1 in the classroom and the argument against it. For the use of L1 in the classroom 5 different arguments were defined: the students' feeling of stress, limited time, motivation, teachers’ self-esteem and teachers’ feeling of guilt. Against the use of L1 in the classroom only two arguments could be defined: teachers translating too quickly and the need to maximise the L2 exposure to students during English lessons. The result of this study indicates that it is very hard for teachers to only speak in the target language during English lessons, but it’s important that teachers reflect over their use of the L1 language and if it's always necessary. The L1 language should be used to make sure that students feel like they can understand and not feel stressed about their learning process. Especially when teaching grammar, difficult words or advanced instructions the L1 could be a big help, but not always and not only.