How Do You Engage Large Classes While Respecting Their L1 Background?

A discussion in Teaching English in Indonesia on the SpeakWise Indonesia teacher forum.

We've been thinking about the unique challenges of teaching English in large Indonesian classrooms where L1 interference is common. Balancing curriculum demands with the need for meaningful engagement can feel daunting when you're faced with so many students. We'd love to hear how you've navigated these waters — what strategies have worked for you in respecting students' native languages while still fostering a vibrant learning environment?