The Role of Code-switching as a Communicative Tool in an ESL Teacher Education Classroom

This research sought to investigate how code-switching functions as a communicative tool in a English as a second language teacher education class in a tertiary institution in Malaysia. Surveys, observations, and interviews were carried out to elicit relevant data. Qualitative data was collected using an observational framework. The findings revealed that three types of code-switching known as tag switching, inter-sentential switching, and intra-sentential switching were predominant in classroom communication between students and between students and the instructor. The study was also able to ratify several systematic and predictive reasons for code-switching in the classroom. The study also found that English was the dominant language of communication while code switching was used to convey ideas in specific situations and to enhance solidarity in the first language.