The Judicious Use of L1 in the ELT Classroom: Striking a Balance for Effective Learning

Shady Abuyusuf

Sat, 12 Jul 2025

686

Introduction:

In the realm of English Language Teaching (ELT), the use of the learners' first language (L1) has been a topic of much debate. At Britishey Training Centre, we recognize the importance of striking a balance between using L1 judiciously and promoting English immersion in the classroom. In this article, we explore the advantages and potential pitfalls of utilizing L1 in the ELT classroom, emphasizing the need for thoughtful and intentional implementation.

When L1 Can Be Harmful: While the use of L1 can sometimes aid comprehension and facilitate learning, there are instances where its overuse or misuse can be detrimental to students' language development. Some scenarios where the use of L1 can be harmful include:

1. Creating dependency: Overreliance on L1 may hinder students' ability to think and communicate effectively in English, leading to a lack of confidence and autonomy.
2. Stifling immersion: Excessive use of L1 can disrupt the English immersion environment, hindering students' opportunities for authentic language practice and interaction.
3. Limiting exposure: Constant translation between L1 and English may limit students' exposure to authentic English language input, impeding their language acquisition process.

Advantages of Using L1 with Monolingual Classes: Despite the potential drawbacks, there are instances where the judicious use of L1 can be beneficial, especially in monolingual classroom settings. Some advantages include:

1. Clarifying instructions: Utilising L1 can help clarify complex instructions or concepts, ensuring students understand tasks and objectives clearly.
2. Fostering understanding: Brief explanations or translations in L1 can aid comprehension, particularly for lower-level learners or when introducing new vocabulary or grammar structures.
3. Building rapport: Incorporating L1 when necessary can help establish rapport with students, especially in culturally diverse classrooms where L1 is commonly spoken.
4. Enhancing students' usage of grammar: Using L1 for example in translation activities can deepen students' understanding of how grammar is used to communicate meaning.
5. Encouraging students to produce more English: Getting students to respond to famous quotes or movie clips in L1 using L2 motivates students to speak and produce more of the target language.

Challenges and Reasons Behind Attacking the Use of L1: Despite the potential benefits, the use of L1 in the ELT classroom has faced criticism and resistance from various stakeholders. Some of the reasons behind attacking the use of L1 include:

1. Discrimination between native and non-native teachers: Some argue that native English-speaking teachers may view the use of L1 by non-native teachers as a sign of incompetence or lack of proficiency in English.
2. Selling standardized coursebooks globally: Standardized coursebooks may prioritize English-only instruction to cater to global markets, neglecting the linguistic diversity and needs of learners in different contexts.
3. Devaluing bilingualism: There is a misconception that being a bilingual teacher holds no value, as English-only instruction is often perceived as the gold standard in ELT.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the judicious use of L1 in the ELT classroom requires thoughtful consideration and balance. While L1 can be a valuable tool for clarification, understanding, and rapport-building, it should be used sparingly and purposefully to avoid dependency and immersion disruption. At Britishey Training Centre, we advocate for a student-centred approach that prioritises effective communication and meaningful language acquisition, while acknowledging and embracing the linguistic diversity of our learners.