Abstract

Whether or not to use students’ native language (L1) in second or foreign language classes has always been debated by many scholars and researchers. This controversial issue has taken place in the literature with various case studies and findings. The current study investigates into both students and teachers’ perspectives on using L1 in foreign classes. The study was conducted in a state university offering compulsory language education for at least one academic year in three foreign languages, English, German, and French in 2016-2017 academic year. As data collection instruments, two Likert-type questionnaires were administered to instructors and students. Ten English, seven German and three French Language instructors participated in the study together with 217 students from three compulsory foreign language preparatory classes. Descriptive data were analysed in order to determine the students and instructors’ perspectives about L1 use. ANOVA test was also used to find out whether there exist significant differences among students and instructors with regard to L1 use. The results reveal that there is a statistically significant difference between English and German language students and between French and German language students with regard to L1 use in the foreign language classrooms. However, there is not a statistically significant difference between English and French language students with regard to L1 use in the foreign language classrooms. The findings also indicate that there is no statistically significant difference among English, French and German language instructors concerning the use of L1 in the classes.

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