This research explores how the lack of competency in Bangla becomes a barrier to acquire
English for indigenous students in Chittagong Hill Tracts. The researcher conducted the study
on randomly selected 102 indigenous students and 13 teachers of EFL class at the primary
level in Chittagong Hill Tracts. The questionnaire consists of multiple choice question and
open ended questions have been employed for responds. A mixed method of analysis has
been applied by the researcher which shows that the indigenous students who have their own
mother tongue are learning English through Bangla which happens to be the second language
to the indigenous students. Bangla is playing a vital role for comprehensible input in the
process of learning English. The research shows the lack of competency in Bengali hinders
their English learning.
