Content area
Code-switching is a prevalent phenomenon among language learners at the university level. This linguistic process occurs due to multiple reasons, and is also influenced by a range of factors, such as sociolinguistic elements and language proficiency. The main purpose of the current study is to examine the status, the reasons and the pedagogical implications of code-switching in EFL Classes at Jouf University in Saudi Arabia. The researchers employed a mixed qualitative/ quantitative analysis using two questionnaires (one for faculty members and the other for students) and an observation checklist. A sample of 34 faculty members and 59 students from different levels at Jouf University responded to the questionnaires, and the observation checklist was applied to random classes in four tracks of English Program: literature, linguistics, applied linguistics and translation. The results of the study showed that code-switching is often used by students and faculty members for a range of both pedagogical and conversational purposes. From faculty members' point of view code-switching is necessary in solving problems and difficulties for students, as it makes students feel comfortable and less stressed during lectures; it also increases solidarity among faculty members and students. Whereas the most common reasons for students' use of code-switching is to avoid misunderstanding during speaking with their professors.