the functions of code switching in efl classroom context

Code switching is a common practice in many foreign/second language (l2) classrooms in most parts of the world. so it is of utmost importance to gain insight into the functions of code switching as it might be beneficial in the l2 learning environment. thus, the purpose of the present study is to identify the functions of code switching used by iranian efl teachers in their classroom context. the participants were two iranian efl teachers who were teaching general english courses in a private language institute. in order to collect the data, audio-recordings were made of three classroom sessions of each teacher which resulted in nine hours of classroom data. the data were analyzed by first transcribing the audio-recordings and then identifying instances of code switching in the transcriptions. then the identified instances of code switching were organized and grouped into different functions. the analysis of the data showed that the teachers used code switching to either repeat l2 short utterances or clarify unfamiliar concepts. the use of code switching for these two main functions, i.e. repetition and clarification, by the teachers in the present study indicates that first language plays an important role in the construction of meaning in l2 classrooms. in this way, it is concluded that the l2 educational community, including researchers, educators and teachers, should see the native language as a resource rather than an obstacle as it helps to build up an effective and rich l2 learning context.