A study of self-reported opinions of L1-based communication strategies in CLIL and NON-CLIL secondary-school learners of L3 English

Patricia Ollo Jiménez; María Martínez Adrián

Authors

Patricia Ollo Jiménez Universidad del País Vasco
María Martínez Adrián Universidad del País Vasco

Abstract

Abstract

This study examines the effect of Content-and-Language-Integrated-Learning (CLIL) and proficiency level in the foreign language (FL) on bilingual Basque/Spanish secondary school learners’ self-reported opinions of the use of first language (L1)-based communication strategies (CSs) in four different age/proficiency CLIL and NON-CLIL groups of third language (L3) English learners. The Quick Placement Test (QPT) was used to test general proficiency and a questionnaire taken from Martínez-Adrián, Gallardo-del-Puerto and Basterrechea (2019) was administered so as to explore learners’ self-reported opinions of their use of L1-based CSs. Results show that CLIL and more proficient learners reported to use L1-based CSs to a lesser extent than NON-CLIL and less proficient learners. Additionally, borrowings are common among beginner CLIL learners and students in a transitional proficient stage between an elementary and intermediate level whereas none of L1-based CSs are typical either of more experienced CLIL learners or of more proficient ones.

Keywords: CLIL; L1 influence; Communication strategies; L3 English; EFL

Resumen

Este estudio explora el impacto del Aprendizaje-Integrado-de-Contenidos-y-Lenguas-Extranjeras (AICLE) y de la competencia en la lengua extranjera en las opiniones de estudiantes de secundaria sobre el uso de estrategias comunicativas basadas en la primera lengua (L1). Los participantes estudian inglés como tercera lengua (L3) y difieren en curso y exposición a la metodología AICLE. Se utilizó un test de nivel para examinar su nivel de lengua, y se administró el cuestionario tomado de Martínez-Adrián, Gallardo-del-Puerto y Basterrechea (2019) para analizar sus opiniones. Los resultados muestran que los estudiantes AICLE y con más nivel en la lengua meta dicen usar la L1 con menos frecuencia que los no AICLE y menos competentes. Asimismo, la estrategia de préstamo es típica de los estudiantes AICLE principiantes y de aquellos entre un nivel básico e intermedio, pero ninguna estrategia basada en la L1 es típica ni de los estudiantes AICLE más avanzados ni de los más competentes.

Palabras clave: AICLE; influencia de la L1; estrategias comunicativas; adquisición del inglés como L3; inglés como lengua extranjera

Author Biographies

Patricia Ollo Jiménez, Universidad del País Vasco

Patricia Ollo Jiménez obtained her bachelor's degree in English Studies from the University of the Basque Country (2017). She also holds one master's degree: MA in Education Training for Professional, Secondary and Language Teachers from the Public University of Navarre (UPNA) (2018). Currently, she is working as an English and Spanish teacher at a secondary school in Navarre. She also worked as a Spanish as a Foreign Language teacher at a secondary school in London.

María Martínez Adrián, Universidad del País Vasco

María Martínez-Adrián is currently an Associate Professor at the University of the Basque Country where she received her PhD. in English Philology in 2006. She was also a teacher at the Public University of Navarre for two years. Her current teaching involves undergraduate courses in English Language and Linguistics in the B.A. in English Studies, as well as postgraduate courses in the Master's program in Language Acquisition in Multilingual Settings. At present, she is the Academic Secretary of the Department of English Studies, German Studies, Translation and Interpreting, and the Coordinator of the Panel Language Teaching and Acquisition of AEDEAN- Spanish Association for English and American Studies.

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