functions of code-switching strategies among iranian efl learners and their speaking ability improvement through code-switching

This study investigated the impact of code-switching on speaking ability of iranian low proficiency efl learners. moreover, it was an attempt to show what functions existed behind code-switching strategies used by the efl learners. to this end, 60 male and female iranian efl learners age-ranged between 20 and 30 participated in the study. data collection instruments which were used were the interchange objective placement test, a pretest, a teaching material, and a posttest. the speech of 60 iranian efl learners was recorded while they were performing some picture-description tasks. then, their speech was transcribed and analyzed. the collected data were subjected to independent-samples t-test. the results indicated the two main functions of code-switching were equivalence and floor-holding. furthermore, the findings of the t-test demonstrated that code-switching was an effective strategy among low proficiency level efl learners and it could increase their motivation and interaction in the class discussions. thus, they can speak in a positive environment and speaking is not an inhibitory factor anymore in their english learning.