¿Por qué estamos Code-Switching? Understanding Language Use in a Second-Grade Classroom

• In Event: 14.045 - Roundtable Session 2
  In Roundtable Session: 14.045-5 - Exploring Languaging and Literacies in Schools and Beyond

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the alternating between languages (Spanish and English), in one second grade classroom. The findings indicate that when the teacher engages in a
metalinguistic and metacognitive awareness activities, the students and the teacher engage in a variety of purposes for codeswitching. These purposes of codeswitching include, to emphasize, to clarify, and to interject humor. Further, we discovered three other themes in the purposes of codeswitching – to pay respect, pride, and excitement. These purposes fell under an overarching theme of metalanguage and metacognitive awareness exchanges. The importance of this study includes a push in changing pedagogical practices in teacher preparation and bilingual education programs.

Authors

• Susan Hopewell, University of Colorado - Boulder

• Patricia Abril Holt, University of Colorado - Boulder