American International Journal of Social Science

ISSN 2325-4149(Print), ISSN 2325-4165(Online) DIO: 10.30845/aijss

An Investigation of English Teachers' and Students' Perceptions of Using Arabic in English Classrooms
Bader Alharbi

Abstract
The debate between the first language (L1) and foreign language (L2) acquisition has intensified in many institutions, particularly where English is embraced as a foreign language (EFL). Based on this background, this paper investigated the perceptions of teachers and learners regarding the issue posed by employing the use of Arabic in English classrooms. This study embraced the use of both interviews and questionnaires to test the educators’ and learners’ attitudes on this issue at the Saudi tertiary level. The results of the study reported that teachers and learners were positive with using Arabic in English lessons. Moreover, the results also revealed that the research subjects in the study favored the use of the Arabic language during certain occasions that mattered. The findings of this study indicated that the first language was vital and that teachers could use it not only for instructional purposes but also a medium that would foster learning experience amongst the learners. Nevertheless, despite the teachers and the learners sharing similar sentiments, the study also captured areas where their thoughts and opinions differed.

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