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“ZAMONAVIY TA‟LIM TIZIMINI RIVOJLANTIRISH VA UNGA QARATILGAN KREATIV G„OYALAR, 
TAKLIFLAR VA YECHIMLAR” MAVZUSIDAGI 37-SONLI RESPUBLIKA ILMIY-AMALIY ON-LINE 
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to an activity is complicated, and students do not seem to comprehend the English 
explanation, asking a student who does understand to translate for the entire class would 
create more time for the activity and prevent a lot of frustration for both teachers and 
students. 
The advantages of using the mother tongue cannot be disregarded. Al- Hinai
highlighted some advantages of using L1 by summarizing researchers‘ ideas as below: 
1. It reduces learner anxiety and creates a more relaxing learning environment, 2. It is 
a means of bringing the learners‘ cultural background knowledge into the class, 
3. It facilitates checking understanding and giving instructions, 
4. It facilitates the task of explaining the meaning of abstract words and of introducing 
the main differences in grammar and pronunciation between L1 and L2. 
Disadvantages of Using the Mother Tongue – L1 in the ESL Classroom 
However, it is just this kind of tendency that could lead to the development of an 
excessive dependency on the students‘ mother tongue by both teachers and students.
Consequently, students lose confidence in their ability to communicate in English: They 
may feel that the only way they would understand anything the teacher says is when it has 
been translated, or they use their mother tongue even when they are perfectly capable of 
expressing the same idea in English. This can significantly reduce students‘ opportunities to 
practice English, and students fail to realise that using English in classroom activities is 
essential to improve their language skills. 
While the argument from both sides are equally compelling, it is clear, that despite the 
numerous advantages of students using their L1 in English-language learning, they do not 
outweigh the disadvantages. Is it possible to maximize the benefits and minimize the 
repercussions? Part II will provide suggestions for using the mother tongue judiciously in 
the English-language classroom.