Usually no; used moderately and purposefully, the mother tongue (Turkish) can support learning. Research shows that judicious use of the mother tongue eases comprehension, saves time, and reduces anxiety. What harms learning is not Turkish itself but its overuse — that is, the lesson being deprived of English exposure.
Detailed Explanation
Many parents worry when they hear Turkish in the lesson: "why isn't the teacher speaking English?" Yet in language education the matter is subtler: what's decisive is not whether Turkish is used but how and how much.
Judicious use of the mother tongue can be a resource
Language-teaching research shows that moderate, purposeful use of the mother tongue (L1) does not hinder learning and can even support it. As studies published by Springer note, the mother tongue is a valuable tool for clarifying the meaning of a difficult word, quickly explaining a rule, preventing misunderstanding, and reducing the child's anxiety. When a child understands what they're learning, the learning is more solid.
The real risk: losing the balance
The danger lies not in Turkish itself but in the lesson being flooded with it. If the teacher speaks Turkish constantly and the child doesn't hear enough English, exposure (input) — the language's most important nourishment — decreases. A good teacher uses Turkish as a "bridge": clarifies the meaning, then quickly returns to English. So Turkish should be not the language of the lesson but a support drawn on when needed.
To observe a healthy balance
- Make sure most of the lesson is in English; Turkish should step in only when needed.
- Check whether Turkish explanation is used to "clarify meaning" or to "translate everything."
- Observe whether the teacher first tries visuals, gestures, and examples, using Turkish as a last resort.
- Give the child room to build the "muscle" of understanding English from context.
Points to keep in mind
"Zero Turkish" is not a strict rule; at beginner level especially, a well-placed Turkish explanation prevents the child from getting lost. But as the child progresses, the share of Turkish should decrease and English exposure should increase. The healthiest approach is to discuss the balance openly with the teacher.
Expert Note — Andrea Massari Rosario
In my lessons I see the mother tongue not as an enemy but as a bridge. A single Turkish word said at the right moment can prevent ten minutes of confusion for a child. What matters is returning to English quickly once you've crossed that bridge. The problem isn't speaking Turkish; it's English shrinking in the lesson.
Related Terms
- Mother tongue (L1): The child's first-acquired language; here, Turkish.
- Judicious use: Using the mother tongue only when needed and for a purpose.
- Exposure (input): The child hearing and being immersed in English; the core nourishment of learning.