Overcoming the First Language Taboo to Enhance Learning a Foreign Language

Abstract

One of the most controversial issues in foreign language teaching and learning over many years has been the role of the mother tongue. In fact, many educators have tried to completely eliminate L1 from the foreign language classroom. Furthermore, many educational establishments have perceived the role of the mother tongue as being a negative influence upon the learning process, and have rules in place which insist on a L2 only policy. However, as will be shown in this research, attempting to ban the mother tongue is an impossible task. In addition, this study will show that there is no definite research which can demonstrate that an L2 only learning environment has more of a positive effect upon the learning process than allowing the use of the mother tongue. Moreover, if used sparingly and in a pre-planned way, the first language can play a positive role in the learning of a foreign language.