Language transfer and code-switching in classroom management expressions in a CLIL context

Abstract

In this paper, we examine, describe and compare code-switching (CS) and language transfer (LT) in the speech of three teachers while managing the classroom in a Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) context in a city in North Western Mexico. In the CLIL context, contents teaching is challenging for teachers as they have to balance managing the classroom, teaching contents and, often, the use of a foreign language. Our results show that teachers use LT more often than CS. lt occurs more frequently in direct orders and instructional utterances. CS was used in only six instances and was both intra and intersentential.