Innovation in English Language Teaching: Code-switching in ESL environment
Abolaji S. Mustapha
Dept of English
Lagos State University, Ojo
08029756898
ABSTRACT
Experts in English as a second language teaching have been concerned about the failure rate among learners of English as a second language and have suggested measures to arrest the situation. The understanding that ‘language teaching does not take place in a neutral or value-free environment’ has called for discretion in choice making not only of learning materials but also of teaching methods and language of instruction within the classroom. While the contents of learning materials have been adapted to reflect the peculiar milieu of learners, it does not appear that language of instruction has been considered. Thus this paper examines the language of instruction and proposes code-switching between bilinguals’ first language and the target language (English). In its sub-sections, we review some of its merits and demerits and argue for its adoption in the teaching-learning environment.
Keywords: ESL, innovation, bilinguals, code-switching, method