The use of the first language (L1) in the second language (L2) classroom has been widely discussed in the language ac?quisition study as its pedagogical implications. Whether and why L1 should be used in the L2 classroom is discussed on the theoret? ical basis in the first section. Then the second part analyses this topic in a specific context in the English classroom in a junior mid? dle school in the central part of China. It is found that using L1 in foreign language classrooms could be reasonable to some degree, some principles for the L1 use should be constructed and many factors should be considered in different contexts.