Studying the Role of L1 in Teaching English in a Multilingual Context

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of L1 in teaching English in multilingual context at elementary level in Lahore, Pakistan. It attempts to address four main issues: (1) what roles L1 plays in the second language learning in a multilingual society? (2) What are the merits and demerits of using L1 in L2 classroom? (3) How do usage or non-usage of L1 in ELT classroom effects second language learning? (4) The study concludes that the use of L1 provides a psychological relief to learners. However, students and teachers have a difference of opinion regarding time and occasion of L1 use; students contemplate that L1 has a cardinal role to play in L2 learning but teachers are of the opinion that the role of L1 is paltry. In the light of these observations, recommendations for appropriate use of L1 in ELT classroom in a multilingual context, are included at the end.