Monolingual class

Monolingual classes are EFL or ESL classes made up of students who share a common mother tongue. They are the typical situation in schools in countries where English is not the first language.

Although many of the teaching techniques and exercises are common to those used in multilingual classes, one of the main points the teacher needs to take into consideration is the underlying L1 and the often irresistible temptation for students to lapse into what they logically find easiest.

Advantage can be taken of the fact that aspects of English such as pronunciation and similarities or differences between grammar points, can be better contrasted and understood by all the students in the class.

On the other hand, the monolingual class offers ideal opportunities for translation in class, an exercise which had largely fallen out of favour over the years, but which, at least in the obvious case of monolingual classes, seems to be making a comeback.