The role and use of L1 in instructed second/foreign language classroom, especially in intensive foreign language programs, has without any doubt been at the crux of a fair extent of controversy, debate, and discussion. Although some research has been conducted on the attitudes of both foreign language instructors and learners towards L1 in the L2 classroom, very few studies have aspired to investigate the impact of L1 use on the proficiency gains of learners and its purpose. In view of the limited research on this issue, this study aims to report the findings of a specific study on the purpose of L1 use by language instructors in the speaking course in an intensive English course at Anadolu University. The results of the study show a judicious and systematic use of L1 by instructors geared towards facilitating communication and relationship between the teacher and students.