[etni] Fw: English proficiency and L1

----- Original Message ----- From: Daniel - ydaleph@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: English proficiency and L1

English proficiency is not necessarily L1 proficiency. English as a second language or any second language does not require complete proficiency in the L2 to qualify as being bilingual or proficient in the L2. In other words, a person may be able to write, read and communicate effectively at a high level in the L2 but still retain some residue of the L1. I grew up in Quebec (Canada). I learned French as a second language and rarely used it outside the classroom. I only began to use it in the work force and kept it up by reading books in French.

Today I consider myself proficient enough in French to be able to communicate with ease in both written and verbal communication. I also do translations from French to English and English to French. The point being that my education in French consisted of reading literary and information texts, speaking, writing and listening. Foreign language students cannot be expected to communicate effectively in an L2 unless they are exposed to all genres and forms of the language. My ability to understand spoken and written French and Hebrew was enhanced not by merely unseens or bagrut style articles but by reading newspapers, works of literature, writing and speaking the language. Appreciation of language leads to proficiency. Our goal must be to provide our students with all the tools to be able to communicate effectively in English.

Daniel

--------------------------------------------
Visit the ETNI site - http://www.etni.org
Send a message to the ETNI list: etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Send queries and questions to: ask@xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------------

Other related posts: