The Use of L1 in
Teaching EFL
Febriarso Bimantoro
The debate of the use of L1 in teaching EFL is
still taking place. Those who against the use of L1 mostly belong to today’s methods and approaches. But do we really have to
omit the use of L1? This paper will present back up theories from some experts
and also research findings about students’ and teachers’ point of view about
the use of L1. Hopefully this paper will give a more solid basis for the use of
L1 and some suggestions on how and when to use the L1.
Teachers and researchers have been arguing about
the use of L1 in teaching EFL. The discussion is about whether to separate the target
language with the L1 or to encourage the students to utilise
their L1 so they learn the target language crosslingually.
Those who believe in the importance of the use of L1 are also debating among
themselves about how and when to use the L1. In 1960’s the use of L1 is still
common while in 1970’s the use of L1 is so called prohibited. These are the
result of the methods and approaches used at that time.
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Bimantoro, F. (2005, March). The use of L1 in teaching EFL. Paper presented at LIA International Conference,
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