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Analysis on Frequency and Attitudes of Using Code-Switching and Code-Mixing of English and Thai

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Author
Varaporn Varatiporn

Abstract

This study was undertaken at the Faculty of Education in Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University which prescribes English as the medium of instruction for all English major courses. However, it has been observed that this policy has not been fully adhered to. Code-switching (CS) and code-mixing (CM) of English and Thai occur extensively in the instructors’ speech in the classroom. This study attempts to highlight the frequency of this communicative behavior, and students’ attitude toward CS/CM in the classroom. Self-completed questionnaires and interviews were used as methods of data collection. Data form the questionnaires were analyzed in terms of simple frequency counts and percentage. They were complemented by data from the interviews. The questionnaires were tested for validity and reliability. The Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of the extent of instructors’ CS/CM was 0.96 and the students’ attitude toward instructors’ CS/CM was 0.98. The finding revealed that instructors frequently code-switched and code-mixed between the two languages in the classroom. The analysis shows that the occurrence of these phenomena was related to the instructors, as well as the students’ own linguistic competence, and the purpose of facilitating effective teaching and learning. However, the students’ attitudes toward CS/CM were that CS/CM can promote better understanding. However, the students felt that such communicative behavior can off-putting as it does not help in improving their linguistic competence in English. The study raises legitimate concerns of the conflict between the policy and its actual implementation, which has some implications on language development, teacher education and policy assessment.

Keyword

Code-switching, Code-mixing, Attitudes, Content and Language Integrated Learning

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