Volunteer Perspective: Code-switching

Code-switching: when a student alternates between two or more language varieties in a single conversation. It’s likely something you’ve encountered in the classroom, but perhaps just didn’t know the term. Understanding this behavior can help you understand cultural differences and help students differentiate between context and language selection.Literacy Volunteer Linda Fawkes encountered it while working with a second grade student at Charles Drew Elementary. See her story below.“I was in Mr. Bender's classroom during writer's workshop and we were reviewing, editing and revising the students’ narrative stories. A little girl had written a story, neatly crossed-out the word 'woke-up' and replaced it with the word 'waked-up.' When I read her sentence both ways aloud and asked her which sounded correct, she was insistent that 'waked-up' was correct; she stuck to her opinion even when I told her that 'woke-up' was the correct usage in this sentence. The confidence she had in her own choice, told me to leave it alone — that I was into something that I didn't know how best to handle.”Linda sought advice from the school’s Literacy Specialist, Jessie Blundell, who introduced Linda to the term—code-switching—and offered some resources to further her understanding. “She said this is called code-switching and sent me to the NPR website where I found, among other things, this link which has some humorous and some practical examples of code-switching.Ms. Blundell talked about the fact that we need to be very aware and careful to acknowledge that what is right at home is okay at home (and perhaps other places as well), but that the way we need to write or talk at school may be different. So it seems the ideal is to respect cultural norms/traditions, yet at the same time, teach students that standard English is necessary and expected in other settings. A delicate balance indeed.”Thank you, Linda, for pointing out that cultural competency is key to understanding our students! Please feel free to share your thoughts/experiences in the comments section below.