Attitudes of Teachers and Students towards Classroom Code Switching in Literature Classes at Tertiary Level in Pakistan

Authors

  • Beenish Riaz Gill
  • Mumtaz Ahmed

Keywords:

Attitude, code switching, multilingualism, English language teaching (ELT), English as a second language (ESL), classroom discourse

Abstract

Classroom code switching in multilingual and multicultural classes is a common phenomenon and has many different attributes in a country like Pakistan where English is taught as a second language (ESL). In Pakistan, students as well as teachers tend to switch between English, Urdu (national language) and Punjabi (regional language of a province) even in literature classes at tertiary level. As a part of the worldwide change in the methods, as well as techniques, styles and strategies associated with English Language Teaching (ELT), switching a code is considered a part of teaching strategies. This paper is an attempt to give careful consideration to the specific purposes behind teachers' code switching along with their attitudes. Attention is also paid to the attitudes of the post graduate students towards classroom code switching. A questionnaire was used to collect data from teachers as well as students of four different universities. The findings of the study highlight the reasons behind teachers' code switching like simple communication, keeping up control in the classroom, explaining abstract things, interpretation, and introducing unfamiliar terms.

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Published

2014-12-15

How to Cite

Gill, B. R., & Ahmed, M. (2014). Attitudes of Teachers and Students towards Classroom Code Switching in Literature Classes at Tertiary Level in Pakistan. Asian Journal of Humanities and Social Studies, 2(6). Retrieved from https://www.ajouronline.com/index.php/AJHSS/article/view/2110