The controversial issue of using l1 with l2  In efl homogeneous classrooms

Menani, Nabil; Mâamar, Bechar

مجلة العلوم الانسانية
Volume 9, Numéro 16, Pages 59-71
2009-03-06

The Controversial Issue Of Using L1 With L2 In Efl Homogeneous Classrooms

Authors : Menani Nabil . Mâamar Bechar .

Abstract

For decades, research has encouraged English as foreign language (EFL) teachers not to use any language but English in their classrooms. Besides, many English language teaching professionals claim L1 use in the classroom is unthinkable, something that should never happen in today’s modern, communicative lessons. They wonder how students can truly appreciate meaningful target language exchanges if they are continually relying on their L1. This paper makes no pretention whatsoever to the presentation of this issue apart from putting forward the controversial use of L1 with L2 in EFL classrooms to teachers and student. However, it displays the gaining ground trends of advocates for this issue. Accordingly, it would shed light on a practical task putting forward such questions: are we to use L1 when teaching English? What are the positive and negative effects from using L1 in EFL classrooms?