An Investigation Into L1 Use In The Writing Process Of Non-English Mongolian Learners

Mother language is one the main factors to affect the foreign language learning and second language acquisition. Many studies before have been managed to research the positive or negative functions of L1 thinking in foreign language writing, and most of the researchers would probably focus on the writing result rather than the writing process. Meanwhile, most of their research subjects are single normal English learners. The present research aims to answer four research questions below through think aloud protocols and interview based on the investigation of 50 Mongolian learners from the Inner Mongolian University for the nationalities. Research questions:1. What kinds of thinking ways that Mongolian learners possessed?2. For Mongolian learners, which thinking mode will be more helpful for them to learn English? Is the Mongolian thinking mode or Chinese thinking mode?3. What are the factors of L1 use that will perform during their writing process?4. Can we get some enlightenment from the research that will also benefit for English learners of other minority nationalities?The research mainly calculates the numbers in the writing and compares it with their writing scores. It shows great relationship between L1 use and English study for Mongolian students, but a negative correlation between L1 use and writing scores. Besides, after the contact and an interview for half term the author understand the particular thinking ways like schematization and the natural idea for seeking simple and freedom. And spirit of forge ahead, freedom, and hero optimistic and loyal of Mongolian learners. Though there exist interference in learning English it still rely on L1 thinking in the writing process, so the author list six factors of L1 use in foreign language learning, they are learning attitude, learning motivation, learning strategy, learning habits, the input of the cultural background knowledge and language transformation. At last, the author will mention some suggestions for other minority learners and teachers for their English learning.