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Humanities
- ISSN: 2155-7993
- Journal of Modern Education Review
An Investigation Teachers’ Code-Switching and Views (between Arabic and
English) When Using Floor-holding and Socializing Functions
in English Classrooms in Jeddah
Mohammed Hassan Alshaikhi
(Institute of Education, University of Reading, UK)
Abstract: This paper investigates teachers’ code-switching (CS) and views, specifically between L1: Arabic and English EFL: English-as-a-Foreign-Language classrooms in Jeddah Saudi Arabia when using floor-holding and socializing functions. The study aims to identify the two specific functions of CS (floor-holding and socializing) to L1 and to explore teachers’ views towards the use of these two functions in EFL classes. The study is based on data collected from a small-scale case study of CS, which utilizes observations at two male state secondary schools and interviews with four teachers in Jeddah. It provides evidence that the use of these two CS functions is a productive way for English teachers to check their students’ understanding and to strengthen social ties with them. Teachers believe that CS is also essential in helping them to improve their students’ interaction skills and to build their confidence. Consequently, this research concludes that CS is a potential means of receiving knowledge and information, as well as being a good strategy for clearly transmitting a message to students.
Key words: code-switching (CS), case study, language teaching and learning, teachers’ views