Functions of Code-Switching: Tools for Learning and Communicating in English Classes

Abstract

The use of code-switching in the classroom is an issue of great importance for all educators in our country since it is a resource that teachers and students may use in order to achieve a specific communicative purpose. This article scrutinizes the teacher’s and the students’ speech from an interactional point of view, as well as the findings, conclusions and implications of the finished research project. Specifically, we explored which teacher’s and second graders’ discourse functions took place when using code-switching in English classes. In addition, this document invites educators to consider the use of the L1 as a means of learning and communicating rather than an obstacle in the teaching learning process.

Keywords

• Code-switching
• discourse functions
• interaction