L1 in EFL Learning: Should it be used?

The issue of using L1 or first language in English classes has been widely debated in the
literature. It is an important issue because it concerns the way teachers using L1 in the EFL
classroom can provide a bridge to cultural understanding and facilitate the development of
intercultural communication skills. A variety of different arguments have been put forward
about this issue. Cook (2001) argues that, “Approving L1 as a classroom property leads
several ways to advance it, such as for teachers to express meaning, clarify grammatical
issues, coordinate the class properly, and for students to take advantage of L1 as their
cooperative learning source and individual strategy.” On the other hand, Savran-Celik, S. &
Aydin, S. (2018) argues that, “In order to provide students with more samples of EFL,
teachers are required to maximize the EFL use by avoiding the L1, explaining new words in
EFL, miming, using pictures which can be mastered by building the EFL system separately.”
In my opinion, L1 should be used in EFL class because it is helpful for English learning.

It is generally accepted that Turin (2018), that the prohibition of using L1 can cause students
to feel afraid to express their opinions in class. In other words, Turin (2018) states that
making interdiction to use L1 could make students uncomfortable speaking out in class. It
also suggests that the teachers should not too often of using L1 when teach the students,
because it will make, they feel uncomfortable and afraid when the students express their
opinion in class. This is will not improve and help the students to learning L1. L1 should be
avoided. I disagree to the idea of avoiding L1 in learning English because using L1 has
several benefits.

The first benefit of using L1 in EFL teaching is: L1 can be used to explain and clarify
difficult concepts. According to Cook (2001), “Especially at lower levels, L1 plays a
supportive role in explaining the meaning of words and grammar structures.” In other words,
L1 provides help in clarifying the meaning of words and grammar structures, particularly at
beginning levels.

I have always believed that using Indonesian (L1) in language learning, particularly at the
beginner levels, helps students grasp the meanings of new words and understand grammar
more clearly. When I was learning English, my teacher often used my native language to
explain difficult concepts. For instance, if I struggled with understanding the past tense, she
would explain it in my native language before giving examples in English. This approach
made complex ideas more accessible and reduced confusion.