Code Switching in Speaking Classroom Conversation: A Focus on Lecturer-Student Interaction at University of Muhammadiyah Malang

Abstract

In learning English, one of the language skills that we need to learn is speaking. Yet, speaking in English is not easy since we have a lack of vocabulary and using English as our daily language is not our habit. These problems can cause miscommunication among the speaker and the listener. In order to minimize that possibility, the speaker can use code switching. The use of code switching during the classroom interaction is very helpful to make the teacher explain the material easier. In this research, the researcher analyses the students' perception toward the use of code switching by their speaking subject lecturers, and the reasons why the speaking subject lecturers use code switching during the teaching process. The research was conducted at English Department at University of Muhammadiyah Malang. The subjects of this research were the speaking subject lecturers and the students of the speaking class. The method of this research is sociolinguistic. The researcher used interviews to gain the data. The results show that mostly the students preferred their speaking subject lecturers to use full English during teaching process because it could improve their English ability. The students responded to their lecturers by using English as much as they could. It challenged them to speak fully in English. The speaking subject lecturers used code switching since they were not sure whether their students understood them if they spoke full English during the teaching process due to the students' English competence which was in intermediate level.