Code Switching In Schools

“Teach a youth about the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6, Holeman Christian Standard Bible). Each year teachers have the opportunity to train children to honor God and to be successful citizens. Sometimes this training will include code switching. Code switching is a term used to describe the act of behaving differently according to the expectations of the group one in interacting with. Code switching generally is either formal or informal. School rules and expectations fall under the formal category. In this category students are expected to raise their hands before speaking, wait their turn to speak, treat their peers with respect, respect authority, and use their “inside” voice. Children from different cultures and home environments may find it difficult to speak the language of formal code switching. Some of their behavior may be considered rude and inappropriate. For instance, some cultures do not respect
Boys from this culture often have difficulties in adjusting to the final voice of their female teachers. To address the growing diversity in school classrooms, beginning teachers need an expanded set of skills and attitudes to support effective learning. It is an expectation today that teachers know their students and how the students learn (Moloney & Saltmarsh, 2016). Effective teachers usual access their students learning style early in the course. This assessment is best when it is informal and fun for the student. When students are relaxed and allowed to demonstrate what they know in their own way, students can gather the best information about how to meet their learning needs as they prepare their differentiated lesson plans. Another method for managing a culturally diverse classroom is to validate and support the culture of origin. Jones