Code switching in the EFL classroom

Studienarbeit aus dem Fachbereich Anglistik - Linguistik, , Sprache: Deutsch, Abstract: This paper focuses on the positive and negative effects of code-switching in the EFL classroom. Chapter two introduces the positive or effective and negative or ineffective uses of altering between L1 and L2 when teaching English. Having stated the theoretical background chapter three then examines these uses by a conversation analysis of real-life classroom discourses. Using two or more languages is a common feature for speakers of different mother tongues engaging in a conversation. Whereas the use of code-switching in daily life, e.g. by bilingual speakers or in multicultural cities or areas in general, is of no concern to the EFL teacher, the switching between mother tongue and foreign language in classrooms can have positive as well as negative effects on the learning process. For aspiring teachers it is therefore extremely important to be aware of the ambivalent nature of code-switching.