Code-Switching in EFL Classrooms: An Interactional Sociolinguistic Analysis of Teacher Pedagogy and Student Interaction

Abstract

The study highlights the role of code-switching in English as Foreign Language Classroom (EFL) –focused on the pedagogy of a teacher and interaction between students to ensure effective learning. Drawing upon the Interactional Sociolinguistics (IS) set forth by John Joseph Gumperz, this study reveals how theoretical and methodological approach analyses the importance of code-switching in EFL classroom. Conducting different surveys of students who belong to different areas i.e. Abbotabad, Peshawar, Mardan, Gilgit are significant to comprehend the essential role of code-switching in EFL classroom. Similarly, this paper aims to elaborate the student-teacher bond, alleviate their anxiety during communication, create a conducive environment where students can easily comprehend the grammatical, functional and social aspect of the language.  Considering different researchers’ critical insights, this study finds the gaps of the previous research work in which different surveys, students’ observation in EFL classroom by using code-switching have not been examined. It also underscores the challenges of the students using code-switching in EFL classroom. Recommendation and suggestions have also been included to uncover the importance of code-switching in multilingual environment and key role of a teacher in EFL classroom.