The Coexistence of Foreign Languages: A major Impact on the Learning Process. Case Study: L1 Students of English at Oran 2 University

Abstract

Acquiring foreign languages has always been an attractive issue for many of our students. It is viewed as a key to an inestimable number of opportunitiesboth on the professional and personal sides. A language is a major –but not the sole- instrument of communication among humans. It generates attachment, mutual cultural understanding, cooperation and tolerance. But the learning process of any foreign language requires not only aptitudes in the four skills of listening , reading, speaking and writing but also an ability to primarily think in the new language. Resorting to translating one’s ideas from the mother tongue or another already acquired foreign language is a major obstacle to an appropriate language acquisition process. This is particularly the scope of this paper which endeavours to underscore the difficulties encountered by L1 students of English who think in French and express the thought in English. A handicap that can be overcome by teaching the learners to do without translation and work more on an original production in English, whether it be written or oral.