The use of the mother tongue in English language classroom in the Algerian schools

الملخص EN

The role of the mother tongue in the foreign language classroom has always been a matter of debate among its users because it becomes a part of the learning process and it is important to deliver the information to the learners either in L1 or L2.

Thus, this paper studies the use of the Arabic language in the English language classroom.

An example of this case exists in the Algerian schools where the use of Standard Arabic or the Algerian dialect in English classes is hypothesized.

Data collection is based on questioning pupils and interviewing the teachers.

This paper summarized that the mother tongue plays an important role in facilitating the understanding of new terms and in-class management by the teachers whom some of them see it as positive while others a negative aspect.

The use of L1 in classroom varies among the teachers.

Some of them use it in classroom while others do not; and such use depends mainly on their mastery of the English language.