The Functions of Codeswitching in English Medium Instruction in a Japanese Tertiary Context

This study examined a professor’s codeswitching patterns and his attitude towards codeswitching when teaching both English language and another academic subject (Sociolinguistics) in a Japanese university. It specifically investigates a) how much codeswitching occurs in these EMI lectures, b) the functions that codeswitching serves and c) the lecturer’s attitude towards using the first language (L1) in an EMI lecture. Analysis of video and audio recordings and the semi-structured interview indicated a drastic difference in codeswitching. The main functions of the L1 were to aid student comprehension and to provide student feedback. The lecturer’s attitude fluctuated during the interview; at times in favor of no use of the L1, while at other times justifying how the L1 supported his teaching. The study also discusses the implications for pedagogy.