English Abstract
Abstract:
The use of native language in learning English is controversial. Some studies advocate its use while others are against it. As far as Arab Bahraini students, there are no studies to show whether translation is useful for students with different language proficiency and therefore, this study is filling a gap in knowledge in this area. This study investigates the use of translation as a learning strategy among students in the Orientation Program and fourth year English majors. A total of 100 students from both groups participated in a survey of two sets of questionnaires concerning beliefs, and strategy use. Among the 100 sample, 12 students were interviewed. This research aims to analyze and understand the use of translation as a learning strategy by University of Bahrain students and to determine the extent of its use by 4th year students in comparison with students enrolled in the Orientation Program. The results of this qualitative and quantitative study revealed that the majority of orientation students use translation as a learning strategy and hold positive beliefs about it, whereas a small percentage of 4th year English major students still use translation as a learning strategy although they hold negative beliefs about it. Therefore, it is recommended that students at government schools have maximum exposure to English language during English classes in order to enable them to think directly in the target language without being under the pressure of translation. Consequently, the number of students in the orientation program will eventually decrease due to the improvement of their language proficiency.
