Using of the First Language in English classroom as a way of scaffolding for both the students and teachers to learn and teach English (original) (raw)

This paper starts with the assumption that using the mother tongue when applied adequately and effectively, can be used as a means of language learning and language teaching. Despite the controversy of the adequacy or inadequacy of using the mother tongue in the teaching of a foreign language, this paper argues that analytical and descriptive studies along with teachers' observations have revealed valuable additional information about the validity of using the mother tongue as a tool for language learning and/or language teaching. So the use of L1, if used properly and judiciously, is a needful, and worthy, pedagogical ally in the teaching and learning of English as language. Therefore, those who believe that L1 has a minimal role to play in the teaching of a foreign language are invited to think again of its role and contributions it makes to the fields of language learning and teaching.