The influence of l1 on l2 in students’ communication in English the case of Begoro Presec

Abstract

This research work looked into the influences of L1 (Akan and Ewe) on L2 in students’ communication in English, the effects of the influences and the possible solutions to these influences in Presbyterian Senior High School, Akim Begoro. It discussed related works on the topic. The qualitative approach was used and the design adopted was case study. Observation, interview and written test were the instruments employed to collect the data from a purposive sampled participants. The study revealed that the L1 influences are in the areas of syntax, semantics, and acquisition of vocabulary and generation of ideas for writing. The effects of the L1 influences are that it affects the clarity of students’ communication, makes them score low marks under expression when they write essays, and it affects public image of English language teachers. The solutions are that teachers must pay attention to the areas of the L1 influences in students’ constructions; give a lot of exercises and discuss the marked scripts with their students. The students must make good use of the library and revise what they are taught, and the government through the Ministry of Education must ensure that time allocation is increased and teachers are permitted to organize remedial lessons for students. The suggestions to the teacher are that L1 should be used to help students understand word or text that are difficult to them, but teachers should pay attention to context when they introduce new words and must devote more instructional time for usage.