LANGUAGE IN THE CLASSROOM: AN ANALYSIS OF STUDENTS’ CODE-SWITCHING IN THE NEW NORMAL

This study focuses on examining the implications of code-switching on the communicative abilities of Junior High School students. Ten teachers who teach Filipino at Kidapawan City National High School, School Year 2023-2024, participated in this study. The research utilized a qualitative method through a phenomenological approach. The study revealed that students often code-switch during discussions or conversations to express their ideas and opinions more comfortably on the topic being discussed. Adjectives and verbs were found to be the common parts of speech that students frequently switch, and they tend to struggle when providing elaborative responses, leading them to resort to code-switching. It was also discovered that students use code-switching more frequently due to the influence of modern technology, making communication and opinion-sharing easier for them. On the other hand, teachers correct and encourage students to translate the words to develop their communicative skills in the Filipino language. Additionally, code-switching was identified as a factor contributing to students' weak vocabulary in Filipino. Nevertheless, students find it easier to articulate their ideas, points, and thoughts when they are using code-switching. The results of this study support Giles' Accommodation Theory, which explains why people switch languages in communication for various reasons.