Analysis Of L1 And L2 Use In Spanish College Courses Using The COLT Observation Scheme

Abstract

This research tries to find answers to the following questions: How much English and how much Spanish is spoken in class? For what functions is each language used? Data were obtained from the tape recording of Spanish conversation classes. Other data sources included non-participant observations and an interview with each of the instructors. The COLT (Communicative Orientation of Language Teaching), part B, was used to define categories of analysis of language. Results seem to indicate that there was a large amount of focus on grammar, and use of restricted and minimal linguistic forms.