Title:
THE PERCEPTION OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS TOWARDS THE USE OF CODE SWITCHING IN ENGLISH CLASSROOM IN MBOONI WEST SUB COUNTY, KENYA

Authors:
Kereu Kwamboka Robina, Dr. Evelyn E. Simiyu and Dr. Florence Mmbwanga, Kenya

Abstract:
The study looks into the perception of students and teachers towards the use of code switching in English classroom in Mbooni West Sub County. The study applied Communication Accommodation Theory developed by Giles and Coupland (1991). The study adopted a descriptive Survey Research design. The area of study was 15 selected schools in Mbooni west Sub County. The methods of collecting data were: an observation schedule, teachers and students’ questionnaires. The target population for this study was the teachers and students in 41 public schools in Mbooni West Sub County. The sample size of the study was 300 students and 60 teachers of English from 15 schools that were sampled through purposive and simple random sampling methods. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were applied in the analysis of the data. The findings of the study also show that while students had positive perceptions towards Code Switching, teachers had both positive and negative perceptions. They also show that Code Switching has both positive and negative impact on the performance of English. Therefore, the study recommends that, teachers need to use Code Switching wisely, and also maximize the exposure to English language in the classrooms. The Stakeholders in education should be made aware on the presence of Code Switching to determine whether it should be incorporated into the curriculum designed. It is hoped that the findings of this study inform teachers and students on how to navigate through Code Switching as a communicative strategy and as an important technique in learning of the English Language.