EFL INSTRUCTORS’ PERSPECTIVES OF L1 USE IN L2 CLASSROOM: A CASE STUDY AT BİNGÖL UNIVERSITY

Language experts, educators, and scholars have long debated using first language (L1) in foreign/second language (L2) classrooms. During the heydays of the Direct Method, also called the Natural Method, which was sequenced by the Audio-lingual method, language scholars and educators strongly rejected L1 use in L2 classrooms. These two methods were an objection to the Grammar Translation Method that allows and facilitates L1 use in L2 classrooms. However, whether L1 use should be welcomed or refrained in L2 classrooms remains an open question. Ten English as a foreign language (EFL) instructors participated in the research. The required data was gathered using a questionnaire, and SPSS 20 was used for analysis. Three of the participants were interviewed in a semi-structured manner to gain a deeper understanding of their perspectives and to strengthen the quantitative data. This study was carried out to understand EFL instructors’ perceptions of using L1 in L2 classrooms who teach both in preparatory classes and at the English language and literature department at Bingöl University, Türkiye. The analyses and interpretations of the data showed that L1 is mostly used for teaching L2 grammar and vocabulary. The study also showed that there are too many contributing factors of L1 use, such as building mutual intelligibility (comprehension), giving clear instructions, setting up a good rapport with students, reducing anxiety, integrating humour into L2 classes, and reprimanding and appraising students.