Instrucción En Español? A Pilot Study Examining Student and Teacher Perceptions of Using the Mother Tongue as a Tool

Many students visit writing centers to become better writers in the English language. One issue of considerable debate is whether students visiting writing centers along the border should be assisted in Spanish or English. This pilot study examined writing center tutors’ and students’ perceptions of speaking Spanish at the writing center. Most border writing centers do not instruct tutors to use a particular language while working with ESL and non-native English-speaking students. This is due to the lack of research and education regarding the advantages and disadvantages in the use of the mother tongue during a tutoring session. The study served to explore these crucial questions. Results suggested that students and tutors may view the use of Spanish during writing center sessions differently. Most students suggested that using English during the tutoring session was more helpful than using Spanish; however, half of the surveyed tutors felt that the use of the mother tongue (Spanish) helped students feel more comfortable during the session and resulted in a more effective tutoring session.