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Chapter 8. Code-switching in the Spanish heritage language classroom

Communicative and cognitive functions

Abstract

Code-switching is a common practice among bilingual speakers, including Spanish heritage language learners. Research on Spanish-English bilinguals in the United States has provided plenty of evidence documenting the use of code-switching in daily conversation with a variety of communicative and social functions. In the Spanish heritage language classroom, however, code switching is generally frowned upon. In this setting, the goal is to minimize the use of English in order to develop the formal academic register, where code switching is not acceptable. However, in this chapter I provide evidence that, in the context of the Spanish heritage language classroom, English can serve important social, communicative, and cognitive functions, and, when used efficiently, mediate Spanish language learning.

Abstract

Code-switching is a common practice among bilingual speakers, including Spanish heritage language learners. Research on Spanish-English bilinguals in the United States has provided plenty of evidence documenting the use of code-switching in daily conversation with a variety of communicative and social functions. In the Spanish heritage language classroom, however, code switching is generally frowned upon. In this setting, the goal is to minimize the use of English in order to develop the formal academic register, where code switching is not acceptable. However, in this chapter I provide evidence that, in the context of the Spanish heritage language classroom, English can serve important social, communicative, and cognitive functions, and, when used efficiently, mediate Spanish language learning.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Preface vii
  4. Chapter 1. Sociolinguistic competence and the acquisition of speaking 1
  5. Chapter 2. Speaking, interactional competencies, and mediated action 27
  6. Chapter 3. Gesture and speaking a second language 49
  7. Chapter 4. L2 talk as social accomplishment 69
  8. Chapter 5. The acquisition of L2 speaking 105
  9. Chapter 6. Exploring the spoken learner English constructicon 127
  10. Chapter 7. Creating and using the space for speaking within the foreign language classroom 153
  11. Chapter 8. Code-switching in the Spanish heritage language classroom 175
  12. Chapter 9. The Mirroring Project 197
  13. Chapter 10. Speaking in a second language 225
  14. Index 241
Speaking in a Second Language
This chapter is in the book Speaking in a Second Language
https://doi.org/10.1075/aals.17.08dob

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Preface vii
  4. Chapter 1. Sociolinguistic competence and the acquisition of speaking 1
  5. Chapter 2. Speaking, interactional competencies, and mediated action 27
  6. Chapter 3. Gesture and speaking a second language 49
  7. Chapter 4. L2 talk as social accomplishment 69
  8. Chapter 5. The acquisition of L2 speaking 105
  9. Chapter 6. Exploring the spoken learner English constructicon 127
  10. Chapter 7. Creating and using the space for speaking within the foreign language classroom 153
  11. Chapter 8. Code-switching in the Spanish heritage language classroom 175
  12. Chapter 9. The Mirroring Project 197
  13. Chapter 10. Speaking in a second language 225
  14. Index 241
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