Breaking Linguistic boundaries : A Case Study on Teachers’ Code-switching in the SFI Classroom for Adults

Summary, in English

In recent years, researchers worldwide have become increasingly interested in the phenomenon of code-switching in the multilingual classroom. The paper aims to try to understand when and why teachers in Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) schools code-switch in their classrooms. It analyses the methods and reasons for teachers’ code-switching in the SFI classroom. A case study was conducted by means of an observation and a semi-structured interview. The results from the observation showed that the teacher on whom the case study was conducted code-
switched from Swedish to English and that explanation and reiteration were the main two
reasons for code-switching. The primary findings in the interview illustrated that the teacher was aware of her code-switching when explaining certain rules of Swedish grammar in order to facilitate the learning process for the students. Conclusively, the results show that code-switching occurs during SFI classes for adults rather often and is frequently used by teachers with the purpose of facilitating teaching in the SFI classroom. This can provide a new perspective on using code-switching as a tool in the educational process in the multilingual classroom.

• Author: Lina Micoogullari
• Department/s: Division of English Studies; English Studies
• Publishing year: 2024
• Language: English
• Full text: Available as PDF - 436 kB; Download statistics
• Document type: Student publication for Bachelor's degree
• Topic: Languages and Literatures
• Keywords: Code-switching; Multilingual classroom; multilingualism; translanguing; SFI; Swedish for Immigrants; Code-Switching in the Classroom
• Supervisor: Panagiotis Athanasopoulos