Learner Representations of Strategic L1 Use in the Language Classroom. A Comparative Study of French and Australian Students

Whenever they go to a new language, they criticize it to the extent it isnБЂ™t like GodБЂ™s true language, whatever that happens to be. And when they use the new language, they try to program in GodБЂ™s true language to the extent that you can in the new language. Often youБЂ™re missing what makes a language special if you do that. ItБЂ™s like if the only tool you have is a hammer and someone gives you a screwdriver, and you say, БЂњWell, this isnБЂ™t a very good hammer but I guess I can hold the blade in my hand and whack with the handle.БЂ«You have a crappy hammer when in fact you could have used it as a fine screwdriver. So, a combination of open-mindedness and a willingness to apply everything you already do know. And of course, code, code, code! The more you use the language, the faster youБЂ™ll learn it. Seibel: Why do people get so religious about their computer languages? Bloch: I donБЂ™t know. But when you choose a language, youБЂ™re choosing more than a set of technical trade-offsБЂ”youБЂ™re choosing a community ...»