CODE-SWITCHING: AN EMERGENT LANGUAGE POLICY & ATTITUDES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTRUCTORS AND LEARNERS

Abstract

Code-switching is the practice flashing between two or more languages in conversation. The tenacity of the present research is to explore the opinions of English language instructors and learners about the practice of code-switching during English language classes at the university level. For this purpose, Mixed-research approach was employed, and data was collected from 200 English language instructors and students through designed questionnaire and interview schedule at English department in National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad. Speech accommodation theory by Howard Giles and Markedness Model by Carol Myers Scotton were used as a theoretical framework. Symbol L1 was used for native language and L2 for foreign language. The results showed that cultural and social understanding is possible if concepts are taught and learnt in an understandable way. The learning and teaching of L2 also becomes easier when it is taught and learnt by using a language which brings ease to the learners. It was concluded that code-switching is not a threat to L2 rather an add-on which polishes the language skills of the learners and reduces the burden of teaching and learning as well. Keywords: Code-Switching, Language, Code-Mixing, Instructors, Learners, Attitudes