Journal of English Language and Education
Vol 11, No 5 (2026): ON PROGRESS

Types of Code Switching Used by Teacher and Students in EFL Classroom Interaction at a Vocational High School

Novi Scorpianti Amrin (Universitas Muhammadiyah Kendari, Indonesia)
Nining Nining (Universitas Muhammadiyah Kendari, Indonesia)
Yuliyanah Sain (Universitas Muhammadiyah Kendari, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
10 Sep 2026

Abstract

Code-switching is common in multilingual EFL classrooms, yet its structural types and pedagogical functions in Indonesian vocational high schools remain underexplored. This study aimed to identify the types of code-switching used by teachers and students in vocational EFL classroom interactions and examine their communicative and pedagogical purposes. Employing a qualitative descriptive design with a discourse-oriented approach, the study was conducted at a vocational high school in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Data were collected through classroom observations, field notes, and semi-structured interviews with two EFL teachers and ten students. The data were analyzed using Poplack’s (1980) typology and triangulated with interview and field-note data to enhance credibility. The findings identified 29 instances of code-switching: inter-sentential switching (69%), intra-sentential switching (17%), and tag switching (14%). Inter-sentential switching predominated and primarily supported idea negotiation, argument development, and instructional scaffolding. Tag switching reflected sociocultural values of politeness and respect toward teachers. These findings indicate that code-switching functions as a purposeful multilingual pedagogical resource rather than a linguistic deficit. Principled and context-sensitive language alternation can support comprehension, interaction, and English learning objectives in vocational EFL classrooms.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jele

Publisher

Subject

Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Other

Description

Journal of English Language and Education (pISSN: 2597-6850 and eISSN: 2502-4132) is a journal that focuses on researching or documenting issues in education, language education, applied linguistics, English education, English language teaching, English Literature, language assessment and ...