Abstract
As English Department students at the Faculty of Language and Arts, Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana, Salatiga, we have to speak English during the teaching learning process. The use of Indonesian (L1) is not encouraged. However, the writer observed that the students and also teachers often code switched to L1. This study was conducted to find out the students’ and teachers’ perspectives of the use of L1 in English (L2) class at the English Department, Faculty of Language and Arts, Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana, Salatiga. It used a descriptive qualitative analysis method and the subjects were ten students of 2012 and 3 lecturers. The data were collected through semi structured interviews for both of the teachers and students.
Based on the students’ perspectives, L1 helped them to understand the material well. It also built the students’ self confidence for the shy learners and those who felt not mastering the L2. Based on the teachers’ perspectives, L1 helped them to build good relationships between teachers and students. It also helped the teachers to explain difficult materials. Both of the students and teachers agreed that using L1 in the class is allowed if it is needed but students have to limit the use of L1 so that they can practice their English more.
