Reasons behind using L1 at primary level in English classes of Bangladeshi English medium schools

Abstract

One of the on-going debates among language teachers especially primary level is whether or not to use students‟ First language (L1) in foreign language classrooms. In Bangladesh most of the teachers have been using Bangla (L1) in English class for a long time and do not question the reasons behind using it. The study focuses on identifying the reasons of using mother tongue in English class at primary level in Bangladesh. Both quantitative and qualitative methods have been used for data collection and the findings show that teachers use Bangla (L1) where teachers feel the necessity of using it especially while clarifying the meaning, correcting the errors and giving proper instructions. This study attempts to analyse in what circumstances and situations teachers use the first language of students even in the English medium schools. The result of this study will help teachers to know about the reasons of their conscious or unconscious use of L1 use. By knowing the reasons of using first language in foreign language class teachers may modify their classroom management to reduce the frequency for first language use and use mother tongue as an essential tool.