Even though English is a subject where Swedish pupils do well compared to pupils in other countries, research indicates that pupils are not always motivated to learn in the English classroom. Therefore, the aim of this study is to find research relating to the use of the target language in classrooms for pupils at the upper elementary level, particularly language learners in Sweden. The focus of this thesis is to find out what benefits and challenges accompany the use of the target language during English lessons, as well as what pupils’ opinions are on the consistent use of the target language in the classroom. This literature review of five research articles shows that it is beneficial for pupils’ language development to have lessons where mainly the target language is used. It is for example beneficial for pupils’ ability to speak, their pronunciation, vocabulary and ability to use language strategies. The results show that there are challenges as well, especially for the teachers, since use of the target language presumes that the teacher has good language skills and is capable of scaffolding each pupil at their individual level and in their zone of proximal development. Furthermore, there are challenges like differences in pupils’ skill level, creating tasks that both motivate and stimulate, and creating a safe learning environment. Even though the results in this thesis are limited, it is still obvious that it is an important area, where more research is necessary in order to assist teachers in how to teach English as effectively as possible. / <p>Engelska</p>

A consistent use of the target language during English lessons is beneficial for pupils’ linguistic development, but also challenging for both teachers and pupils. The main purpose for pupils to learn English is to be able to use it in communication, which requires that they develop the ability to comprehend input, produce output and use language strategies. Several researchers claim that a consistent use of the target language is necessary in order to develop these abilities. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the target language use during English lessons in Swedish grades 4-6, and what pupils’ opinions regarding target language use are. The methods used to collect data consisted of a pupil questionnaire with 42 respondents and an observation of two teachers’ English lessons during a week’s time. The results from the observations show that the teachers use plenty of target language during lessons, but the first language as well to explain things that pupils might experience difficult to understand otherwise. The results from the questionnaire mainly show that the pupils seem to enjoy English and like to both speak and hear the target language during lessons. The main input comes from listening to a CD with dialogues and exercises in the textbook and the workbook, and from the teacher speaking. The results also show that a majority of the pupils use the target language in their spare time. A conclusion that can be drawn from this study is that the TL should be used to a large extent in order to support pupils’ linguistic development. However, teachers may sometimes need to use L1 in order to facilitate understanding of the things that many pupils find difficult, for example grammar. Suggestions for further research in this area include similar studies conducted on a larger scale. / <p>Engelska</p>

Detta är en undersökning angående de faktorer som styr svensklärarnas val av skönlitteratur till elever på högstadiet. Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka vilka faktorer svensklärare på högstadiet utgår från när de väljer skönlitteratur till sina elever. Undersökningen är baserad på nio kvalitativa intervjuer. Informanterna är lärare på högstadiet och undervisar i svenska eller svenska som andraspråk. Utgångspunkt för uppsatsen är följande frågeställningar: -        Huvudfråga:Utifrån vilka faktorer väljer svensklärare på högstadiet skönlitteratur till eleverna? -        Underfrågor: Hur ställer sig lärare till att ha en litterär kanon inom svenskämnet? Hur har debatten om en litterär kanon inom svenskämnet påverkat lärares undervisning? Hur påverkas lärarens skönlitterära val till eleverna av lärarens konstruktion av svenskämnet? Hur påverkar styrdokumenten litteraturundervisningen i svenskämnet? Resultatet visar att svensklärare påverkas av en mängd olika faktorer i litteraturvalet såsom eleven, arbetsplatsen, personliga åsikter, läsningens syfte, samhället, styrdokument, samt lärarens konstruktion av svenskämnet. Resultatet visar att lärarna är både negativa och positiva till en litterär kanon i svenskämnet och att kanondebatten inte har påverkat deras undervisning. / This study with its purpose concerns factors that influence teachers, who specialize on the subject Swedish, when choosing fictional literature for their students. The gathering of empirical facts is done through nine qualitative interviews. The informants are nine teachers with Swedish as major who teaches at upper elementary level. The questions at issue are: -        Which factors influences teachers at upper elementary level when choosing fictional literature for their students? -        How do teachers regard the use of a literary canon when teaching Swedish? -        How has the debate concerning the use of a literary canon in the teaching of Swedish affected the teachers tutoring? -        To what extent is the teachers’ choice of fictional literature affected by the teachers’ own construction of the subject Swedish? -        To what extent does the curriculum affect the teaching of literature in the subject Swedish? The result of this study shows that teachers of Swedish are affected by several factors when they are choosing fictional literature for their students. Factors that influence the teachers’ choice of literature are: The teachers’ own construction of the subject, student preferences, workplace, personal preferences, the purpose of the reading, society and the curriculum. The result also shows that the teachers both have negative and positive attitudes towards using a literary canon in their tutoring of Swedish. The debate concerning the use of a literary canon has not affected their teaching of Swedish.

<p>Detta är en undersökning angående de faktorer som styr svensklärarnas val av skönlitteratur till elever på högstadiet. Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka vilka faktorer svensklärare på högstadiet utgår från när de väljer skönlitteratur till sina elever.</p><p>Undersökningen är baserad på nio kvalitativa intervjuer. Informanterna är lärare på högstadiet och undervisar i svenska eller svenska som andraspråk.</p><p>Utgångspunkt för uppsatsen är följande frågeställningar:</p><p>-        Huvudfråga:Utifrån vilka faktorer väljer svensklärare på högstadiet skönlitteratur till eleverna?</p><p>-        Underfrågor: Hur ställer sig lärare till att ha en litterär kanon inom svenskämnet? Hur har debatten om en litterär kanon inom svenskämnet påverkat lärares undervisning? Hur påverkas lärarens skönlitterära val till eleverna av lärarens konstruktion av svenskämnet? Hur påverkar styrdokumenten litteraturundervisningen i svenskämnet?</p><p>Resultatet visar att svensklärare påverkas av en mängd olika faktorer i litteraturvalet såsom eleven, arbetsplatsen, personliga åsikter, läsningens syfte, samhället, styrdokument, samt lärarens konstruktion av svenskämnet. Resultatet visar att lärarna är både negativa och positiva till en litterär kanon i svenskämnet och att kanondebatten inte har påverkat deras undervisning.     </p> / <p>This study with its purpose concerns factors that influence teachers, who specialize on the subject Swedish, when choosing fictional literature for their students.</p><p>The gathering of empirical facts is done through nine qualitative interviews. The informants are nine teachers with Swedish as major who teaches at upper elementary level.</p><p>The questions at issue are:</p><p>-        Which factors influences teachers at upper elementary level when choosing fictional literature for their students?</p><p>-        How do teachers regard the use of a literary canon when teaching Swedish?</p><p>-        How has the debate concerning the use of a literary canon in the teaching of Swedish affected the teachers tutoring?</p><p>-        To what extent is the teachers’ choice of fictional literature affected by the teachers’ own construction of the subject Swedish?</p><p>-        To what extent does the curriculum affect the teaching of literature in the subject Swedish?</p><p>The result of this study shows that teachers of Swedish are affected by several factors when they are choosing fictional literature for their students. Factors that influence the teachers’ choice of literature are: The teachers’ own construction of the subject, student preferences, workplace, personal preferences, the purpose of the reading, society and the curriculum. The result also shows that the teachers both have negative and positive attitudes towards using a literary canon in their tutoring of Swedish. The debate concerning the use of a literary canon has not affected their teaching of Swedish.</p>

To master English is a clear advantage in Swedish society and throughout compulsory school, the English subject is mandatory in each grade. Language learning is a lengthy and demanding task that requires effort and determination. Consequently, it is crucial to sustain motivation among the learners, which requires motivational and conscious teaching. There are a number of strategies that through research have indicated motivational capacity. In this empirical study, teachers’ and pupils’ perception of the motivational influence of different strategies were examined. The method was quantitative and surveys were used to collect data from the teachers (N=10) and the pupils (N=142). The results show that the teachers regard their own behavior and a stimulating, varied teaching as most important, whilst the pupils prioritize clear and understandable instructions and are concerned with a pleasant classroom climate, where humour is present and where it is safe to make mistakes. In addition, the results indicate that teachers, as well as pupils, are not particularly interested of a transmission of responsibility from the teachers to the pupils. / <p>Engelska</p>

To master English is a clear advantage in Swedish society and throughout compulsory school, the English subject is mandatory in each grade. Language learning is a lengthy and demanding task that requires effort and determination. Consequently, it is crucial to sustain motivation among the learners, which requires motivational and conscious teaching. There are a number of strategies that through research have indicated motivational capacity. In this empirical study, teachers’ and pupils’ perception of the motivational influence of different strategies were examined. The method was quantitative and surveys were used to collect data from the teachers (N=10) and the pupils (N=142). The results show that the teachers regard their own behavior and a stimulating, varied teaching as most important, whilst the pupils prioritize clear and understandable instructions and are concerned with a pleasant classroom climate, where humour is present and where it is safe to make mistakes. In addition, the results indicate that teachers, as well as pupils, are not particularly interested of a transmission of responsibility from the teachers to the pupils. / <p>Engelska</p>