Perceptions of English language teachers and learners on the Code Switching practice in English language classes in University of Sindh: A Qualitative Study

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Uzma Shah
Kiran Shirazi

Abstract

Code-Switching is a widespread practice in almost every walk of life, from teaching to political speeches, from media discourse to professional trainings code-switching tends to be inevitable. It refers to the use of two or more languages in a single discourse. The current research studies the perceptions of English language teachers and learners on the use of code-switching in English language classes. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The teachers hold positive opinion about code-switching. According to them code-switching serves as a teaching aid which is worth applying for the sake of learners' ease, understanding, building interest and developing attention in the language class, and lightening classroom environment. Thus, if it is properly employed in the English language classes it can bring about positive learning outcomes. The other part of the research covers the learners' views on the use of code-switching. The learners come up with an ambivalent responses. On one hand, some of the students believe that code-switching serves as an obstacle that inhibits the direct exposure of the target language: the more the exposure and practice, the more the learning. On the contrary, there were some other learners who did not prefer codeswitching for themselves but for the sake of fellow learners they endorsed it. To them, codeswitching helps in guiding and clarifying the fellow learners' concepts. Thus, they viewed code-switching as a learning aid as well.

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