Code switching science teachers : a case study

Code switching occurs when an individual who is bilingual alternates between two languages during his speech with another bilingual person. Abiding by the decision of the Cabinet that Science and Mathematics were to be taught in English in all Malaysian schools before, teachers were viewed to be fluent in the language. The main aim of this research was to study when Science teachers code-switched. This study was conducted in a rural secondary school in Ketereh, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Four Science teachers from the school were observed and interviewed. The data obtained from the observation and interview were transcribed and analysed manually. The qualitative approach was employed in analysing the data from the observations and interviews of teachers. Generally, the findings revealed that Science teachers code-switched mostly at word level, followed by phrase and sentence level. Code switching occurred spontaneously. Under some circumstances, code switching became a conscious strategy to emphasize a point made using the national language. The study also showed that language proficiency was not a major factor that caused Science teachers to code-switch but was a supporting element to communicate information. It therefore served as a communicative purpose to transfer meaning.