Saudi Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (SJHSS)
Volume-1 | Issue-04 | 206-212
Original Research Article
Influence of Teachers’ Home Language on Code-switching Use in the Classroom: A Case Study
Tsaona S. Mokgwathi
Published : Dec. 22, 2016
Abstract
This paper discusses whether home language has any effect on the teachers‟ views on code-switching use in
the classroom. The paper is based on a quantitative study conducted at four senior secondary schools in the north-eastern
Botswana whose teachers and learners had diverse home languages. Their views were solicited about the use of CS in the
classroom and its effect on teaching and learning; and the results were analysed quantitatively. The results from the study
showed that the teachers, irrespective of home language, code-switched in the classroom yet the country‟s Language in
Education Policy (LiEP) states that English is the sole official Language of Instruction (LoI) from the second year of
primary school and throughout the entire education system. However, teachers whose home language is Setswana codeswitch more than others. The paper calls for the appreciation of the existence of code-switching in the classrooms of the
said senior secondary schools, and that ways of utilizing it should be explored bearing in mind that language diversity
exists in the school environment.