Code-switching practices and language preferences among multilingual learners in the English classroom
A study at Sekolah Indonesia Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Abstract
This study examines the use of code-switching in English classroom instruction at Sekolah Indonesia Kuala Lumpur (SIKL), a transnational Indonesian school where English, Malay, and Indonesian are routinely used. Employing a qualitative descriptive research design, data were collected through four weeks of classroom observations, semi-structured interviews with three English teachers and selected students (Grades 10–12), and analysis of instructional documents and school language policies. The findings indicate that code-switching serves three main functions: pedagogical, social, and managerial. Pedagogically, it is used to clarify instructions, explain unfamiliar concepts, and support students’ comprehension. Socially, code-switching facilitates classroom interaction and encourages student participation. Managerially, it assists teachers in managing classroom routines and transitions. These findings suggest that code-switching functions as a strategic communicative resource in multilingual classrooms rather than as an indicator of linguistic deficiency. The study contributes to discussions on multilingual pedagogy by highlighting how code-switching supports instructional effectiveness in overseas Indonesian school contexts.
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References
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Zainil, Y., & Arsyad, S. (2021). Teachers’ perception of their code-switching practices in English as a foreign language classes: The results of stimulated recall interview and conversation analysis. Sage Open, 11(2), 21582440211013802. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211013802
Zainuddin, H. (2016). Levels of code-switching on EFL students’ daily language: A study of language production. Advances in Language and Literary Studies, 7(3), 278–281. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.7n.3p.278
Cahyani, H., De Courcy, M., & Barnett, J. (2018). Teachers’ code-switching in bilingual classrooms: Exploring pedagogical and sociocultural functions. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 21(4), 465–479. https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050.2016.1189509
Rohman, D. N., Entusiastik, & Wulandari, S. (2025). EFL students’ experience in a language immersion program: A diary study. IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature, 13(1), 402–417. https://doi.org/10.24256/ideas.v13i1.6154
Fachriyah, E. (2017). The functions of code switching in an English language classroom. Studies in English Language and Education, 4(2), 148–156. https://doi.org/10.24815/siele.v4i2.6327
Jegede, O. (2025). Code-switching in education: Exploring the role of indigenous languages in bilingual classrooms. Journal of the Nigerian Languages Project, 6(2), 207–242. https://doi.org/10.60787/JNLP.V6I2.71
Junaidi, A.M. (2020). The communicative function and the benefit of code-switching within bilingual education programs for multilingual children in learning English. Journal Ilmiah Rinjani, 7(2), 69–66. https://doi.org/10.12345/jir.v7i2.129
Kasiyarno, K., & Apriyanto, S. (2025). Influence of globalisation on the shift in local language and cultural identity. Journal Corner of Education, Linguistics, and Literature, 4(3), 372–383. https://doi.org/10.54012/jcell.v4i3.435
Lam, C. F., & Matthews, S. (2020). Inter-sentential code-switching and language dominance in Cantonese–English bilingual children. Journal of Monolingual and Bilingual Speech, 2(1), 73–105. https://doi.org/10.1558/jmbs.13308
Liu, G. L., Soyoof, A., Lee, J. S., & Zhang, L. J. (2025). Informal digital learning of English in Asian English as a foreign language contexts: A thematic review. RELC Journal. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/00336882251332309
Mangila, B. B. (2019). Pedagogic code-switching: A case study of the language practices of Filipino teachers in English language classrooms. English Language Teaching Educational Journal, 1(3), 115–123. https://doi.org/10.12928/eltej.v1i3.738
Muslihati, M., Khusniyah, N. L., & Rahmat, H. (2023). Students’ code-switching and code-mixing in spoken communication activities at the English Language Education Department of UIN Mataram. Cordova Journal of Language and Culture Studies, 13(1), 54–66. https://doi.org/10.20414/cordova.v13i1.7736
Mustafayeva, L. A., Akbarova, F. S., Gurbanova, G. K., Abdullayev, A. A., Muradova, G. H., Ahmadova, V. S., Aliyeva, K. R., Aghamirza, D. H., Hajiyeva, A. F., Aynur, G., & Nazirzada, L. N. (2025). Code-switching in multilingual societies: Significance, patterns, functions, and sociolinguistic implications. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(7), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i7.10294
Ramon-Casas, M., Cortés, S., Benet, A., Lleó, C., & Bosch, L. (2023). Connecting perception and production in early Catalan–Spanish bilingual children: Language dominance and quality of input effects. Journal of Child Language, 50(1), 155–176. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0305000921000787
Suhartini, S. W., & Nggawu, L. O. (2022). An analysis of code-mixing and code-switching in teaching muatan local “Muna language” at SMP Muna district. Journal of English Language and Education, 8(8), 38–46. https://ejurnal.mercubuana-yogya.ac.id/index.php/jele/article/view/2989
Suryaningsih, P. A. (2023). Exploring the functions of code-switching in the context of teaching and learning activities. Jurnal IKA, 21(1), 44–50. https://ejournal.undiksha.ac.id/index.php/IKA/article/view/53972
Teh, D. T. B. E. (2025). Investigating Malaysian ESL classrooms as dynamic and multifaceted communities of practice. International Journal of Sociology of Education, 14(1), 40–61. https://doi.org/10.17583/rise.15000
Vilakazi, Z., Mafuru, L., & Ramaila, S. (2024). Multilingual education in life sciences: Teachers’ and learners’ beliefs about code-switching. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 23(6), 1291–1309. https://doi.org/10.33225/jbse/24.23.1291
Yap, F. M. G., Delgado, F. S., Magbanua, V. J., Ricardo, L. E., & Filosofo, M. F. (2017). Level of usage of teachers’ code-switching practices as perceived by students in relation to their English language proficiency. International Journal of English and Education, 7(9), 502–504. https://www.ijsrp.org/research-paper-0917.php?rp=P696821
Zainil, Y., & Arsyad, S. (2021). Teachers’ perception of their code-switching practices in English as a foreign language classes: The results of stimulated recall interview and conversation analysis. Sage Open, 11(2), 21582440211013802. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211013802
Zainuddin, H. (2016). Levels of code-switching on EFL students’ daily language: A study of language production. Advances in Language and Literary Studies, 7(3), 278–281. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.7n.3p.278
Published
2025-12-31
How to Cite
PUTRI, Karisma; RACHMAN, Poppy; ZAINUDDIN, Zainuddin.
Code-switching practices and language preferences among multilingual learners in the English classroom.
Pioneer: Journal of Language and Literature, [S.l.], v. 17, n. 2, p. 374-387, dec. 2025.
ISSN 2655-8718.
Available at: <https://unars.ac.id/ojs/index.php/pioneer/article/view/7070>. Date accessed: 05 mar. 2026.
doi: https://doi.org/10.36841/pioneer.v17i2.7070.
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