Araştırma Makalesi

Strategic First Language Use in EFL Across Proficiency Levels: Teacher and Student Perspectives

Cilt: 19 Sayı: 4 29 Ekim 2026
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Strategic First Language Use in EFL Across Proficiency Levels: Teacher and Student Perspectives

Öz

The study examines the attitudes of English preparatory program students and instructors toward the strategic use of first language (L1) in a Turkish foundation university, focusing on variation across proficiency levels and teaching experience. A Likert-scale questionnaire including an open-ended metaphor task was administered to 120 students and 15 instructors. Semi-structured interviews were subsequently conducted with 12 students and 5 instructors. Quantitative analyses revealed generally positive support for selective L1 use, particularly at A1 and A2 levels for grammar explanation, task clarification, and anxiety reduction. Significant differences were found across proficiency levels, with support decreasing as proficiency increased. Due to the small teacher sample, teacher questionnaire data were interpreted descriptively and contextualized through qualitative interview findings. The data revealed that the instructors positioned their language use practices differently as a function of professional experience and institutional expectations. Metaphor responses highlighted how differently learners conceptualized L1 use according to proficiency level. Lower-level students often cited emotional or cognitive support while higher-level students suggested a more limited and strategic use. The findings revealed that L1 use attitudes are contextually dependent and largely learner proficiency-driven. Teaching experience and institutional norms shape how L1 use is negotiated in preparatory EFL contexts.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Destekleyen Kurum

This study was not funded by any institution.

Etik Beyan

Prior to commencing the research, ethical permission was acquired from Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University’s Ethics Committee (Approval No. 2025/13). Only after the institutional approval was obtained and the informed consent of all participants was secured, data collection began. Participants were ensured confidentiality and anonymity and used pseudonyms in the interview transcripts. The analysis of quantitative and qualitative data yielded some patterns and themes. These are displayed in the following section according to the research questions.

Teşekkür

This study was not funded by any institution.

Kaynakça

  1. Auerbach, E. R. (1993). Reexamining English only in the ESL classroom. TESOL Quarterly, 27(1), 9-32. https://doi.org/10.2307/3586949
  2. Balabakgil, B., & Mede, E. (2016). The use of L1 as a teaching strategy by native and non-native EFL instructors at a language preparatory program in Turkey. Advances in Language and Literary Studies, 7(6), 15-35. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.7n.6p.15
  3. Cameron, L., & Low, G. (1999). Metaphor. Language Teaching, 32(2), 77-96. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444800014526
  4. Carless, D. (2008). Student use of the mother tongue in the task-based classroom. ELT Journal, 62(4), 331-338. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccm090
  5. Chambers, F. (1991). Promoting use of the target language in the classroom. Language Learning Journal, 4(1), 27-31. https://doi.org/10.1080/09571739185200411
  6. Codina Camó, A., & Pladevall Ballester, E. (2015). The effects of using L1 translation on young learners' foreign language vocabulary learning. Estudios de Lingüística Inglesa Aplicada, 15, 109-134. https://doi.org/10.12795/elia.2015.i15.06
  7. Cook, V. J. (1991). The poverty-of-the-stimulus argument and multi-competence. Second Language Research, 7(2), 103-117. https://doi.org/10.1177/026765839100700203
  8. Cook, V. (2001). Using the first language in the classroom. Canadian Modern Language Review, 57(3), 402-423. https://doi.org/10.3138/cmlr.57.3.402

Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

İngilizce

Konular

Sosyal ve Beşeri Bilimler Eğitimi (Ekonomi, İşletme ve Yönetim Hariç)

Bölüm

Araştırma Makalesi

Yayımlanma Tarihi

29 Ekim 2026

Gönderilme Tarihi

3 Şubat 2026

Kabul Tarihi

22 Mayıs 2026

Yayımlandığı Sayı

Yıl 2026 Cilt: 19 Sayı: 4

Kaynak Göster

APA
Geçkinli, F. (2026). Strategic First Language Use in EFL Across Proficiency Levels: Teacher and Student Perspectives. Journal of Theoretical Educational Sciences, 19(4), 781-803. https://doi.org/10.30831/akukeg.1880687
AMA
1.Geçkinli F. Strategic First Language Use in EFL Across Proficiency Levels: Teacher and Student Perspectives. Journal of Theoretical Educational Sciences. 2026;19(4):781-803. doi:10.30831/akukeg.1880687
Chicago
Geçkinli, Fikri. 2026. “Strategic First Language Use in EFL Across Proficiency Levels: Teacher and Student Perspectives”. Journal of Theoretical Educational Sciences 19 (4): 781-803. https://doi.org/10.30831/akukeg.1880687.
EndNote
Geçkinli F (01 Ekim 2026) Strategic First Language Use in EFL Across Proficiency Levels: Teacher and Student Perspectives. Journal of Theoretical Educational Sciences 19 4 781–803.
IEEE
[1]F. Geçkinli, “Strategic First Language Use in EFL Across Proficiency Levels: Teacher and Student Perspectives”, Journal of Theoretical Educational Sciences, c. 19, sy 4, ss. 781–803, Eki. 2026, doi: 10.30831/akukeg.1880687.
ISNAD
Geçkinli, Fikri. “Strategic First Language Use in EFL Across Proficiency Levels: Teacher and Student Perspectives”. Journal of Theoretical Educational Sciences 19/4 (01 Ekim 2026): 781-803. https://doi.org/10.30831/akukeg.1880687.
JAMA
1.Geçkinli F. Strategic First Language Use in EFL Across Proficiency Levels: Teacher and Student Perspectives. Journal of Theoretical Educational Sciences. 2026;19:781–803.
MLA
Geçkinli, Fikri. “Strategic First Language Use in EFL Across Proficiency Levels: Teacher and Student Perspectives”. Journal of Theoretical Educational Sciences, c. 19, sy 4, Ekim 2026, ss. 781-03, doi:10.30831/akukeg.1880687.
Vancouver
1.Fikri Geçkinli. Strategic First Language Use in EFL Across Proficiency Levels: Teacher and Student Perspectives. Journal of Theoretical Educational Sciences. 01 Ekim 2026;19(4):781-803. doi:10.30831/akukeg.1880687