Abstract:
This study was set to address the impact of using L1 (mother tongue) as medium of
instruction in an L2 (English language) classroom in the upper basic level of St Aidan’s
Anglican Basic School in Wa, the upper West Region of Ghana. The study focused on the
reasons and effects of using L1 as a medium of instruction in L2 classrooms. The study
adopted the qualitative research approach and used interviews and observation as tools in
collecting and analyzing the data. In all, twenty-six (26) people were interviewed. Six (6)
teachers and twenty (20) pupils. The findings showed that teachers used L1 (Waali) where, necessary, especially when clarifying meaning, correcting errors and explaining difficult concepts. The study also identified that the use of L1 (Waali) was useful for effective learning and better understanding. The study recommended that, there should be a balanced use of first language. (L1) and second language (L2) in the classroom and that the L1 can be a useful tool to building a relationship between teachers and pupils in the classroom.
Description:
A thesis submitted to the Department of Applied Linguistics, Faculty of Foreign Languages Education and Communication, submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, University of Education, Winneba in partial
fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Masters of Education in teaching English as a second language.
SEPTEMBER, 2018