Code Switch in Malaysia and Cellphones in classrooms

1.0Introduction

Malaysia is a multiracial country. There are different people with different races communicating in different languages every day. The three major races in Malaysia included the Chinese, Malays and Indians. They may communicate among other races in English however, English has become a second language among their own races. That seems to be an issue for the Malaysian. This is because the Malaysian English Language instructors as well as the ESL learners tend to communicate with different languages instead of using only English. They tend to communicate with different languages or dialect during classes. This is where code switch happens. Code switching is defined as the practice of moving between two or more languages in conversation (Oxforddictionaries.com, 2014). Code switch happens everywhere, even during a formal class. This will affect the students where they will not learn the proper way to speak in English. This also affects the student where they will not communicate with proper English in the future. The students tend to code switch in their daily communication in the future and it will be hard for them to communicate in other countries. There are many reasons for code switch to happen. It is inevitable that in a multiracial country like Malaysia to code switch, yet, there are ways to overcome code switching. The article below further discusses the reasons of code switch. The article also mentioned about the ways to overcome code switch. This answered the first task of the assignment.

2.0Code Switch

Code switch often happens in Malaysia as there are many different races taking English as their second language. People often speak with different language instead of only English. They tend to switch to their own dialect or other languages in daily communication. There are many different racial in Malaysia and therefore there are many different dialects being spoken in Malaysia. It has become common for them to speak in different languages or dialects in daily communications.

2.1Reasons for code switch to happen

There are many reasons for code switch to happen. Since ESL learners do not speak English as their first language, the lack of vocabulary may be the first reason for them to code switch. Since they are not being brought up by speaking English, they do not know the exact word to be used. They can only use their own language in their own word to express their thoughts. Not just only that, code switch also happened when they do not know how to pronounce the word. They might have known the word to use to complete their sentence, but they are not sure how to pronounce that word properly. They tend to change to another language so that they can finish with their conversation. Besides, people tend to speak with different languages that they are comfortable with. This helps them to speak confidently without pausing throughout the conversation (Changingminds.org, 2014). They often speak in other languages that they are comfortable with so that others will not laugh at them if they were to pause throughout a conversation. Nevertheless, people tend to speak in English and change to another language to fill in the gap among the friends. They might feel uneasy and hard to mix with other friends if they were to speak in only English while others in other languages. They want to be "one of them". It helps them to convey intimacy. They will not be left out. Another reason for code switch is where they do not want to have any misunderstanding. Since there are different races and different languages being used among them, there might be words that were used that might create misunderstanding among them. And to avoid that problem, they tend to explain with different languages so that they can avoid any misunderstanding. The students might have known other international languages and they tend to add another language in their conversation as a "show off" attitude.

2.2Overcoming Code Switch

Things happen for a reason and there are always solutions for it. There are many reasons for why people undergo code switch. It might not be a good practice as people will not learn proper English. This part of the assignment explains the ways to overcome this problem.

The first solution that helps to overcome code switch is by setting rules among themselves. They may want to set a rule among the friends where they have to communicate in only English but no other languages. They may even correct each other’s English if they detected any wrong grammar used. They may also choose to mix with friends that speak English in order to improve their English and to avoid code switching. The best way is to mix with foreign students as they must not speak with other languages but only English with the foreign students. Besides, they may also want to register for professional English courses. They may want to learn the proper way to speak English so that they can avoid code switching. They will learn how to pronounce the word properly as well as how to speak English properly and that will help them to reduce the possibilities of speaking other languages. Going for professional or international classes may also help them to be more confident to speak in front of other people. Another way to overcome code switch is to read more. Read books with English, be it a story book or magazines. As long as they get used to English they will be comfortable be using English and that will reduce the chances of changing to other languages while speaking. The organization should also imply a rule to the lecturers so that they can speak proper English during formal classes. The organization may send the lecturers for further trainings to improve their English. Since the ESL learners learn English through the English instructors, the lecturers should set an example so that the ESL learners can learn proper English. The last solution that can help in overcoming code switch is to improve ones’ English standard. In order to improve their English standard, they may choose to learn through the social media. Reading news or listening to the news may help them to improve their English. Not just only that, by watching English movies by turning off the subtitles may also help them to improve their English. When their English has been improved, they will be more comfortable to speak in English and hence, reduce the chances of code switching.

2.3Conclusion and Recommendations

As a conclusion for question 1 regarding code switching, there are many reasons for why code switch will happen. The first reason is where those English as second language (ESL) learners are lack of vocabulary. Another reason might be because they do not know how to pronounce certain words and therefore they code switch. Not just only that, the ESL learners may choose to speak with own languages that they are comfortable with so that they will be confident in speaking. They might also want to change into other languages while speaking in order to fill the gap among the friends. They may also choose to code switch so that it will reduce the chances of getting misunderstood by the others. Last and not least, some of them might want to “show off” of the other international languages that they have learnt. However, as discussed in the article above, there are solutions in overcoming code switch. The first solution is to learn through friends. They may even register for English classes in order to know how to use proper English. Besides, they may also want to read and learn through reading more English literatures. The lecturers should also use proper English during a formal class. Lastly, they should learn English through the social media. This could help them to get used to English and can avoid code switch.

Code switch may be good in some extend where it could actually help the ESL learners to gain confident while speaking. However, it is not good for them because they may not learn how to use proper English. Not just only that, the parents should also set a good example in speaking proper English at home. The practice of speaking proper English can be cultivated since young and hence the parents should speak proper English at home. Self-discipline is important too where they have to make sure that they speak in English and not to code switch whenever they feel like.

3.0Introduction

In early year 2000, the main function of cellphone was merely for basic communication such as phone calls, SMS as well as email where users are mainly age 25 and above, who are financially stable. Cellphone had brought up to the next level where smartphones and mobile internet are widely introduced in Malaysia. From then, besides the three functions as mention above, cellphone can now do wonders and millions after the introduction of applications. Examples are; it can now take clearer picture; it is a mobile dictionary and translator, instant knowledge from google on things that one is unsure, social networking where brings friends together, greater business opportunities, games and many more. Despite the price has increase two hundred percent, group of users has widely spread from age twenty-five and above to kids, teenagers, working adults as well as retirees. In today society, it is not surprise that a five year old kid owned an iPhone where Malaysia Smartphone Penetration has hit 63% and above (Thestar.com.my, 2014). Cell phone has been part of human life where people bring it to restroom to read latest news, listening to radio from one place to another, some even needs the cellphone before bed. It’s just so unseperated where it justifies that colleges and universities have regard cell phones as disruptive and distracting. However, with a few rules and regulations imply in colleges and universities and better self-control by student, bringing cellphone to colleges and universities would be a great points in helping students in achieving higher grade in academy, provide a much secure environment and many more other benefits that will be discussed below.

4.0Cell Phone

The advancement of technology has made cell phone the best friend of humans. There are a lot of benefits of using a cell phone. Almost every teenager has a cell phone. They brought it everywhere they go, including to the colleges and universities. Some of the benefits of bringing cell phones to the colleges or universities are as listed as below.

4.1The advantages of bringing cell phones to colleges or universities

According to Burgelman and Maidique (1988) through the OC library, the advancement of technology enables cell phone to get instant access to the internet. With that, the students can easily and instantly get information online. The students no longer bring the old and thick dictionary to colleges instead, they use online dictionary that can be accessed instantly. Not just only that, the students can also use their cell phone as their lecture notes where they can download and save the slides and notes in their phones. This also helps to save the environment where the student can save the papers from printing the notes. The notes and slides that have been downloaded in the phone can be accessed instantly. Not just only that, bringing cell phones to the colleges or universities can also use during an emergency. The parents can get to contact the students whenever they want. The parents can get instant contact with them when there are any emergency cases in the family. The female students will also feel safer by bringing the cell phones to colleges or universities. This is because the female students can get to contact anyone in case of any emergency. Bringing the cell phone to colleges or universities can also be used as a memory aids. For example, the students can capture a photo during the lecture for further revision later. The student can also use the phone as a voice recorder where they can record the lectures and do their own revision after class. The calendar in the cell phone is another feature of a cell phone. By bringing the cell phone to colleges or universities, the students can mark the date for examinations as well as the due dates for assignments. Not just only that, with the help of calendar, the students can also mark down any replacement classes in the future. The cell phone nowadays has eased the students in many ways.

4.2The disadvantages of bringing cell phone to colleges and universities

On the other hand, bringing cell phone to colleges or universities has been claimed disruptive and distracting. That is because the cell phone nowadays has a lot of features. The student can connect to the internet instantly and a lot of different social networking such as Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, WeChat and etc. has been introduced. Cell phones help students to contact friends within the colleges as well as the friends that are not from the colleges. They often communicate with friends through those social networking. When students are committed with those social networks, they might not pay full attention and concentration during classes. This is where disruptive during classes happens. Not just only that, the cell phone also has features such as MP3 and games, student will tend to listen to music or playing games during the classes. That is why it is being claimed by the universities or colleges as disruptive. Besides, bringing cell phones to the colleges or universities will interrupt the lessons. This is because not all students will silent their cell phone during lessons. The phone calls or messages that came in will interrupt the lessons. Students are also caught in cheating using cell phone during examinations. Since they can get information instantly online, the students can browse for answers during examinations. Last but not least, the socioeconomic diversity is another issue of bringing cell phone to college or universities. Not every student has the ability to afford a cell phone. Those with a more expensive cell phone will tend to “show off” with their ability. Apart from that, the chances of theft will be increased as there will be people that will steal the cell phone.

4.3Conclusion and recommendations

As a conclusion for question 2, there seems to have more advantages of bringing cell phones to colleges or universities rather than disadvantages of bringing cell phones to colleges or universities. Therefore, in my opinion, the colleges or universities should allow students to bring their cell phones to colleges or universities as it can be used as an instant dictionary whenever the student meet a new vocabulary. Besides, bringing a cell phone to colleges or universities can also help the students to get information online immediately. Bringing cell phone to colleges or universities also enables students to contact people during an emergency. Not just only that, cell phone can also use as a memory aids for studies where students can capture photos or record video for further reference and revision. The calendar feature in the cell phone also helps the students to take note of the examination dates and the due dates. It can also help the students to make arrangement for after school activities for group studies or assignment discussions.

In order to stop the distraction and disruption to happen during the classes, the colleges or universities may want to set rules and regulations for the students. For example, the colleges or universities may want to imply a rule where they limit the students from contacting with the cell phone. The students shall not answer phone calls or contact with phone unless emergency. Only allow them to use their phone during breaks or after classes. The colleges or universities should also make sure that the students silent their cell phones during lessons to avoid disruption. The colleges or universities should allow students to bring their cell phones to the colleges or universities as there are more benefits of bringing cell phones to the colleges or universities.

References

Anon, (2014). [online] Available at: http://oclibrary.olympia.edu.my/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=435 [Accessed 2 Jun. 2014].

Burgelman, R. and Maidique, M. (1988). Strategic management of technology and innovation. 1st ed. Homewood, Ill.: Irwin.

Changingminds.org, (2014).Confident Body Language. [online] Available at: http://changingminds.org/techniques/body/confident_body.htm [Accessed 17 May. 2014].

Oxforddictionaries.com, (2014).code-switching: definition of code-switching in Oxford dictionary (British & World English). [online] Available at: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/code-switching [Accessed 11 May. 2014].

Thestar.com.my, (2014). Smartphone penetration hits 63% in Malaysia - Tech News | The Star Online. [online] Available at: http://www.thestar.com.my/Tech/Tech-News/2013/09/12/Smartphone-and-tablet-penetration-hits-63-percent.aspx/ [Accessed 17 May. 2014].

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