The use of English-Twi code switching in English language lessons at the Senior High Schools

Abstract

The study examines the use of English-Twi code-switching in English Language lessons at Senior High Schools. Two Senior High Schools, Berekum Senior High School and Presbyterian Senior High School, were selected in the Berekum Municipality, in the Brong Region for the study. Qualitative research method was employed for the study. However, a case study was employed as a research design in order to get in-depth information on the study. The sampling technique employed were purposive and simple random. The English teachers who teach in the selected schools were the target population because they were the people who posed the information the researcher needed. The sampling size consists of 6 male teachers and 6 female teachers, making 12 teachers in total. Observation and interview guide were used for data collection in order to get the first hand information from the participants on the field. The study found out that, English teachers code switch to the local language of the students (Twi) for specific purpose in the classroom. That is, academic, socializing, and management purpose. The data gathered showed that the teachers employ code-switching in their classroom discourse. It was observed that the teachers use code-switching not only for academic reasons but also for socializing and for class management purposes. The study revealed that teachers mostly switch code to perform the academic related functions like translation, explanation of concepts, checking understanding, encouraging participation of learners, emphasizing a point and correcting students or learners.