The use of L1 and L2 in the classroom

I really liked Isabella Villas Boas´ article because I truly identified with it (http://ctjconnected.blogspot.com.br/2013/08/l1-in-l2-classroom-from-sin-to.html). Having started as a trainee in CTJ, I´ve seen in some conferences, as much as I´ve been told by some observers, not to use the L1 in the classroom at all. On the other hand, the use of the mother tongue in some situations is accepted by others, which has created a big confusion in my mind. After all, am I allowed to use the L1 in the classroom or not?

I particularly believe that the use of L1 in the classroom is not an unforgivable mistake. Sometimes, the use of L1 by teachers can help students understand meanings faster. Instead of spending five precious minutes – or even more – trying to convey a meaning, the teacher can make use of L1 to translate, briefly, the meaning of a word. When a student asks me “Teacher, what does … mean?”, first, I ask the rest of the class if they know, if they don´t, I try to find a synonym in English, if the student still doesn’t understand, then, as a last resort, I use L1, especially if the word is too abstract, which would be more difficult and time-consuming for him/her to understand. 

Besides, every beginning of the semester, I explain to my groups, whether they are children, teenagers or adults, that we are there to speak English. Otherwise, what would be the purpose of being there? I also try to encourage them to look for things of their interest in L2, such as movies, TV series, music and articles.

I also think that the use of L1 can help students make connections and find meanings inside their own minds. In certain occasions, I say “It´s similar to Portuguese! Do you understand now?”. And then I can suddenly see the air of relief in their faces. 

However, using L2 all the time would go against the principles that have been taught by many scholars, and what we have learned at CJT as novice teachers. We, teachers, are there to help create an English-speaking space, in CTJ´s case, a real American space, so students can enjoy and absorb as much knowledge and culture as they can.

To conclude, yes, I use L1 in the classroom sometimes, but only when strictly necessary, and yes, I believe that the excessive use if L2 would hinder students´ learning process, after all, it´s directly connected to the method we use (CLT) and not the Grammar-Translation one.