Briefly describe what the Code-Switching approach in Foundation Phase?

The Code-Switching approach in the Foundation Phase involves allowing students to use their home language alongside the language of instruction in the classroom. This approach recognizes and values students' linguistic diversity and aims to support their learning by allowing them to draw on their existing language skills while acquiring new ones. It helps students feel more comfortable and confident in the classroom, leading to better academic outcomes.

Code-Switching Approach in Foundation Phase

Code-switching involves incorporating two or more languages in instruction to cater to multilingual learners. In the Foundation Phase, this approach aims to:

- Facilitate Communication: Allow learners to use their home languages to express themselves and access content, while gradually transitioning to the school language.
- Build on Prior Knowledge: Leverage learners' linguistic and cultural experiences in the home languages.
- Promote Cognitive Development: Engage learners by connecting new concepts to familiar language structures.
- Foster Language Development: Support the development of both home languages and school language through parallel use.
- Create Inclusive Classrooms: Respect and value learners' linguistic backgrounds, promoting a sense of belonging.

Teachers implement code-switching by strategically using both languages in the following ways:

- Transitioning: Guiding explanations and discussions between home languages and school language.
- Translanguaging: Incorporating learners' home language vocabulary, expressions, and sentence structures into school language instruction.
- Mediating: Using home languages to explain new concepts and scaffold understanding.
- Reinforcing: Providing learners with opportunities to practice both home languages and school language.