Teaching in Two Tongues: Code-Switching Patterns in ESL

Abstract

The current study examines and describes how the English language teachers / instructors and students / ESL learners perceive the use of code-switching in English language classrooms. It also examines the patterns and functions of Code Switching (CS) in an ESL classroom. The main objective of the study is to understand the significance of different code-switching functions and their role in teaching and learning process particularly of English as a second language. The study is both qualitative and quantitative in nature as the data is collected through observations and questionnaires. For the study purpose, the participants were selected randomly from undergraduate students and teachers from three different departments of University of Sargodha, namely, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. The study used a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, involving questionnaires and classroom observations to analyze how teachers employ code-switching. SPSS was used for statistical analysis. The findings of the research implicate that code-switching is frequently practiced in ESL classes across the country. The conclusions are drawn that code-switching has a positive impact on the teaching and learning of the English language as a second language.