[STCrowley]

I agree with ICAL Pete. . .

But I also think that speaking the students' native language isn't a drawback. It can become a crutch, and if that's what happens, the students don't learn much. . . because the impulse to learn (people, I think, have an instinctive need to communicate. If you will only understand English, they'll try to communicate with you.) will be diminished.

But I've been glad to be able to 'check' understanding by saying "What's the word for 'unless' in German?" Often, students will understand 'without,' and it's good to know they aren't understanding you and to correct that from the get-go.

A final difference I've noticed is credibility. I live and work in Germany. Many of my colleagues don't speak any German. . . and the students notice this, and wonder where they get off telling them HOW to learn a language, when they're living in the country and don't seem to be able to pick anything up.

Okay, that became a ramble and a rant. Sorry for that.
-Toby