Analysis of code-switching in esl classroom a case of Dambai College of Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of code-switching as a pedagogical strategy by tutors and students of Dambai College of Education, Dambai. The study looks at the reasons behind the code-switching in the English Language classroom, when code-switching occurs in the English Language classroom and the functions of code-switching in the English Language classroom in Dambai College of Education. The study mainly employed qualitative approach in data collection, analysis and presentation. The analysis was done based on the conceptual framework of Gumperz and Levinson (1996) as well as responses to the research questions. The data for the study was audio-recordings that were transcribed into text and was used for the analysis. The analysis was based on the research questions set in chapter one. Six English language tutors were observed. An interview was conducted for six (6) English tutors and forty (40) students to crosscheck the information in the audiorecordings. The results of the study showed that tutors and students do code-switch in the English Language class for various reasons. Analysis also showed that, codeswitching by tutors are done to serve pedagogical purpose and to achieve their instructional objective. The study revealed that, code-switching is not a barrier to second language learning, but rather an effective tool for teaching and learning the second language.