A Study On English Teachers’ Code-switching In Senior High School

Code-switching in classrooms means the constant alternation between two languages inforeign language teaching class. Code-switching in foreign language classrooms has beenstudied since1960s, and great achievement has been made so far. However, a survey onliterature shows there are few studies on code-switching in English classrooms in senior highschool. Therefore, studying on code-switching in English classrooms in senior high schoolcan help us know the fact of senior high school English teachers’ code-switching, and providescientific guidance for teachers.The purpose of this study is to know the frequency and motivation of English teachers’code-switching in senior high school and students’ attitude to this language phenomenon.Three methods were used in this study: classroom observation, questionnaire for students, andinterview with teachers. Classroom observation and questionnaire serve as the main source ofdata. By using observation chart and recording pen, teachers’ teaching processes wererecorded, which was used to calculate the frequency and analyze the motivations of teachers’code-switching. Questionnaire for students intended to investigate students’ attitudes toteachers’ code-switching, along with students’ estimate of the frequency of teachers’code-switching, and expectation for teachers’ code-switching. Interview with teachersinvolved teachers’ philosophy of language teaching, understanding and views on thephenomenon of teachers’ code-switching in class. The findings of this research are as follows:Firstly, teachers’ code-switching was prevalent in senior high school, but due to students’language proficiency, the frequency of teachers’ code-switching was different. Secondly,teachers could switch codes when they were teaching grammar and explaining vocabulary andso on. Finally, most students thought that teachers’ code-switching was beneficial to languagelearning. On the basis of the findings, this thesis comes up with some principles for teachersto observe and points out that teachers’ effective use of code-switching is beneficial toteaching and learning.