ERIC Number: EJ863021
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Dec
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0346-251X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Codeswitching in the Primary EFL Classroom in China--Two Case Studies
Qian, Xiaofang; Tian, Guisen; Wang, Qiang
System: An International Journal of Educational Technology and Applied Linguistics, v37 n4 p719-730 Dec 2009
This paper presents the results of a small-scale study of codeswitching (CS) between Chinese and English in primary English classrooms with a view to informing classroom interaction with young learners of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). It analyzes CS of two teachers participating in the Primary English Curriculum Innovation (PECI) project in Beijing, which adopts a holistic approach to innovation and implementation of curriculum. The data consist of 20 videoed lessons, covering lessons from grade 1 to grade 4. The findings comprise syntactical identification of the switches and the pedagogical and social functions that these switches serve. The conclusions are: (1) CS is a discourse strategy that teachers use for promoting classroom interaction and ensuring efficient classroom management. (2) A suitable quantity of CS use helps cultivate and reinforce good habits of learning and foster a close student-teacher relationship. (3) Teachers have the ability to instruct in the target language; only when occasions call for efficient instruction do they turn to L1. (4) The decrease of CS over the years proves the efficiency of a holistic approach to curriculum innovations in the fulfillment of education objectives at the time of curriculum change. (Contains 1 chart and 2 tables.)
Descriptors: Classroom Techniques, Curriculum Development, Holistic Approach, Interaction, Foreign Countries, English (Second Language), Elementary School Students, Elementary School Teachers, Curriculum Implementation, Discourse Analysis, Video Technology, Classroom Communication, Classroom Research, Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Language Research, Teaching Methods, Chinese, Code Switching (Language)
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: China (Beijing)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A