L1 use and implications in English language teaching in Vietnam

Abstract

The debate on the role of the first language (L1) use in foreign language classrooms has not reached a conclusive outcome and remained a controversial topic. A number of studies have been carried out across the globe in order to analyse the role of L1 in EFL classrooms. Some experts believe that the use of L1 would seriously narrow down the scope for the target language input and output therefore it should be abandoned, while others see a pedagogical value in L1 use in language classrooms. In Vietnam, there seems to be a gap regarding the use of L1 in EFL classrooms. The present study attempts to fill this gap by examining how Vietnamese teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) use Vietnamese (L1) in their classrooms.