Code-switching in higher education in a multilingual environment: a Lebanese exploratory study

Abstract

Research has shown that code-switching (CS) between languages in spoken discourse is prevalent in multilingual contexts and is used for many purposes. More recently, it has become the subject of much concern in academic contexts in negatively affecting students’ language use and learning. However, while the concern has been increasing, no rigorous studies have been done in L1 Arabic academic contexts. In this paper, the researchers explore university faculty and students’ views on CS in higher education classes in an American-style institution in Lebanon. Data were collected through unstructured interviews, non-participant observations and questionnaires. Main findings show that faculties are unaware that they code-switch contrary to what non-participant observations showed. The surveys revealed that students code-switch to learn better and that their faculty code-switch in class. Recommendations to raise awareness of this phenomenon in bi/multilingual academic contexts are made.

Keywords:

• multilingualism
• code-switching
• conversation analysis
• higher education
• Lebanon

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rima N. Bahous

Rima Bahous is an associate professor of education and Chair of the Department of Education at the Lebanese American University in Lebanon. She has presented at regional and international conferences and published in international refereed journals. Her main research interests are in language teaching and learning, discourse analysis and programme assessment.

Mona Baroud Nabhani

Mona Nabhani is an associate professor of education at the Lebanese American University in Lebanon. She has presented at regional and international conferences and published in international refereed journals. Her main research interests are in teaching and learning, education management and leadership and continuing professional development for school principals and teachers.

Nahla Nola Bacha

Nahla Nola Bacha is a professor of applied linguistics/TESOL and Assistant Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at the Lebanese American University. She has presented at regional and international conferences. She has published in international refereed journals as well as coordinating and co-authoring the English textbooks for the new Secondary English Curriculum as part of the curricular reforms by the Ministry of Education National Center for Educational Research and Development in Lebanon. Her research interests are in EAP/EPP, TEFL/TESOL, writing, discourse and corpus analysis.