Factors Affecting The Uses Of Translation In Elt Classrooms: Tijo Wakentira Secondary School Grade Nine In Focus

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate Factors Affecting Translation of English Language to Learners‟ First Language in ELT Classrooms. The study sought to find factors affecting uses of translation of L2 to L1 in ELT classroom, the reason why teachers use translation in ELT classroom, the extent to which translation is used in ELT classroom, the level of instruction translation used in ELT classrooms and skills which teachers prefer to use translation of L2 to L1 in ELT classroom .To achieve this main objective, mixed research approach was applied. The data were collected using questionnaire observation, and interview from 154 grade nine students and three English language teachers. The data collected through these tools were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The results of this study revealed that factors affecting the uses of target language translation were lack of motivation, lack of alternative to translation, lack of reinforcement due to excessive use of student’s first language, over reliance on translation, and lack of equivalent word. And both teachers and students have been using students’ first language in ELT classrooms more frequently. Besides, the teachers use dominantly students’ first language. Furthermore, both teachers and students have positive perception towards the use of translation in English classes which reduces their input. None of the teachers are systematically using students mother tongue in their English Language Teaching classrooms which helps to bridge a gap.