Abstract
This paper has discussed the use of the mother tongue in second language classrooms and highlighted some important aspects that relates to the first language use. The data collected in this study found out that students’ proficiency of language affects on their use of the mother tongue. This was indicated in this study when the participants of upper intermediate level did not use their first language in the lesson. On the other hand the interview data provided significant aspects concerning the use of the mother tongue. The results indicated that teachers play a role on the use of the mother tongue and most of the participants were against teachers who use their first language in the classroom because that affects them in acquiring and developing the target language that they are learning.