The use of positive transfer approach to help initial students in assimilation of english as a second languaje

Abstract

This research proposes the use of positive transfer approach to help initial level students with Spanish as mother tongue in learning English as a second language. The main objective is to analyze and solve some difficulties students could have in the learning process of the second language. The method uses in this work is the quasi experimental and takes first courses of primary of American Institute of Obrajes. They are approximately 30% of the whole school students. They are divided in two groups, the first one the experimental in which the approach will be applied, and the second the control group that will continue with the traditional method. The period of this part of the research takes two trimesters and the final trimester is to be used for evaluation. The theoretical framework is sustained on second language teaching methods like communicative method in which the present research is based; the positive transfer approach is evaluated through the four main communicative skills to prove the level of improvement in assimilation of the experimental group. The research begins with the observation to find the common problems teaching English inside classes. The second point is the application of questionnaires to English teachers and class teachers. Through the results of this questionnaire we continue with the planning of syllabus in coordination with class teachers. The final results of the project are significant about 26% of improvement in second language level of assimilation.