This document introduces the rationale for a study on the influence of code-switching on the speaking performance of freshman English majors at two universities in the Philippines. It provides background that English is widely used in the Philippines for education and communication, though students often code-switch between English and Filipino due to difficulties finding the right vocabulary. The document reviews literature defining code-switching as the alternating between two languages in bilingual speech, and discusses how code-switching serves communicative functions and helps bilinguals discuss new concepts. The study aims to determine how code-switching specifically influences the speaking abilities of English majors who are expected to perform well in speaking.
This document introduces the rationale for a study on the influence of code-switching on the speaking performance of freshman English majors at two universities in the Philippines. It provides background that English is widely used in the Philippines for education and communication, though students often code-switch between English and Filipino due to difficulties finding the right vocabulary. The document reviews literature defining code-switching as the alternating between two languages in bilingual speech, and discusses how code-switching serves communicative functions and helps bilinguals discuss new concepts. The study aims to determine how code-switching specifically influences the speaking abilities of English majors who are expected to perform well in speaking.
This document introduces the rationale for a study on the influence of code-switching on the speaking performance of freshman English majors at two universities in the Philippines. It provides background that English is widely used in the Philippines for education and communication, though students often code-switch between English and Filipino due to difficulties finding the right vocabulary. The document reviews literature defining code-switching as the alternating between two languages in bilingual speech, and discusses how code-switching serves communicative functions and helps bilinguals discuss new concepts. The study aims to determine how code-switching specifically influences the speaking abilities of English majors who are expected to perform well in speaking.
This document introduces the rationale for a study on the influence of code-switching on the speaking performance of freshman English majors at two universities in the Philippines. It provides background that English is widely used in the Philippines for education and communication, though students often code-switch between English and Filipino due to difficulties finding the right vocabulary. The document reviews literature defining code-switching as the alternating between two languages in bilingual speech, and discusses how code-switching serves communicative functions and helps bilinguals discuss new concepts. The study aims to determine how code-switching specifically influences the speaking abilities of English majors who are expected to perform well in speaking.
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INTRODUCTION
Rationale of the Study
Speaking is one of the macro-skills in communication and undeniably, students have to be equipped with good vocabulary for successful transmission of their thoughts and interrelation of other communication skills. English is the lingua franca for universal communication. It has become the medium for instruction and communication in schools, media, workplace, etc. around the world. Additionally, Thompson (2003, cited in Tandoc, 2016) claimed that English is mostly associated by Filipinos with better opportunities for higher education and better employment. English as international language is used as mode of communication and is taught as a discipline at Southern Leyte State University- CTE and Saint Joseph College. English teachers, even other teachers in other fields in these institutions keep on encouraging students to read numerous books, watch English movies and practice speaking using the target language so they will have the full grasp of the language. A prevalent problem faced by ESL learners in speaking inside and outside the classroom premises is code- switching from target language to their first language interchangeably. This usually happens when students have difficulty in finding appropriate vocabulary for their thoughts and ideas. Code-switching is regarded as communicative phenomenon of constantly switching between two languages in bilingual speech (Modupeola, 2013). Crystal (1987) mentioned by Modupeola (2013) viewed the concept as a code-switch when an individual who is bilingual alternates between two languages during his or her speech engagement with another bilingual. Bilingualism is a usual phenomenon of communication within the Philippine context. Switching from one language to another is an easy transition for bilinguals because they can use two linguistics repertoires they possess. Skiba (1997) states that in a normal conservation between two bilinguals, code-switching consists 84 percent single word switches, 10 percent phrase switches and 1 percent clause switching. This explicitly means that code – switching is inevitable and is a widely occurring situation in the bilingual sphere.Researchers suggest that Code- Switching among bilingual individuals follows common patterns and performs communicative functions. Jacobson (1979), reiterated by Garza (2005) described this concurrent use of two languages as being for from a random behavior but rather a strategy used by bilinguals under certain circumstances. For instance‚ bilingual students use code- switching as aid to cope with demands of situations. As stated by Sert (2005) through Modupeola (2013), code- switching performs various functions in its naturally occurring context. Speakers code- switch to manipulate, influence or define situation as they wish and convey nuances of meaning and personal intention. It is also used to build intimate interpersonal relationship among people who share the same code. It can be said to be a tool for creating linguistics solidarity especially between individuals who share the same ethno-cultural identity. Other reason may be the inability of the speakers to express themselves in one language that’s why they tend to switch to the other language to compensate for deficiency Modupeola (2013). In bilingual classrooms worldwide‚ using Code- Switching is a frequent practice. Thus, Code –Switching between Filipino and English as well as the borrowing of English words are born of necessity. It is an unavoidable alternation used to teach new concepts, to introduce new ideas in curricular subjects where supposed medium of instruction is English (Durano 2009, cited by Tandoc, 2016). However, this research endeavor determined the underlying influence of code-switching to the speaking performanceof freshman BSEd English majors in SLSU-CTE and Saint Joseph College since only few have looked closely into this matter. Apparently, personal observations to the level of speaking performance of the students have directed the researchers to pursue this study. It is good to know and understand the impact of code switching to their speaking performance and that they are majoring English where speaking is considered as the front-line skill.