24 some interesting features. It is strengthened by Canagarajah 2007 who said about L1 as a
meaningful component in the learning process that to contribute a successful learning in the target language L1 use is needed. From this, it can be concluded that by using L1 inside
English classroom will help students performing English better which they might not find if using English. Thus, from what scholars stated is connected to the data result, it can be
implied that the English teachers are suggested to use Indonesian in explaining English materials, since it can help students to perform English better, and the teachers should use
Indonesian wisely in order to maximize English learning.
f. L1 as a bridge to understand L1 and L2 culture
Question No. 12: In my opinion, it is better for English teachers to explain the similarities and differences between Indonesia culture and English culture see
Appendix 1.
The data discussed in this section is about the students‟ perceptions‟ toward the teacher‟s use of Indonesian in explaining the similarities and differences between
Indonesia culture and English culture. The differences of the culture cover the language itself, society, customs, and cross culture things. More than half of the students 64
confirmed their agreement about the statement, that it is better for the teacher to use L1 to explain the similarity and differences between L1 culture and L2 culture. It seems that
from the students‟ point of view, they like if the teacher uses Indonesian when it comes to culture. This is probably because the students will understand more about the explanation
given by the teacher. It is related to what Gill 2005 mentioned about the role of mother tongue for
discussing the cross-cultural issues. He believes that it can be possible through comparison
Q12 36
64
Figure 7. Students perceptions toward the teachers uses of L1 as a bridge to understand L1 and L2 culture
Agree Disagree
25 and contrast and better use of the L1. In this finding the teacher performs it using L1 to
make the students understand the cultural differences better. Dujmovic 2007 stated, as it is believed by the Eng
lish users‟ teachers who are in a position to enrich the process of learning by using the mother tongue as a resource, it means that by using the L1 culture,
they can facilitate the progress of their students toward the mother tongue, the other culture. It can be implied that, from the data result the students showed positive
perceptions toward the teacher‟s uses of Indonesian to understand Indonesia and English culture, because they are probably find that learning English culture through English might
be confusing.
g. L1 reduces learners’ anxiety
