Code-Switching among Military Cadet Officers During Group Interaction

In Malaysia, code-switching is commonly used in communication. This study focuses on the act of code-switching among military cadet officers in English language class, specifically during group interactions. It will also discuss the cadet off icers‟ perceptions on code-switching during group interactions. 30 Cadet Officers from National Defence University Malaysia (NDUM) with different L1 (Malay, Mandarin and Tamil) were chosen in this study and data were collected through group discussion and interviews. The conversations were then transcribed and analysed. In the study, it was foun d that both gender and L1 do influence the code-switching behaviour of the cadet officers during group interactions. L1 however has shown a greater influence in comparison to gender. Overall, students made more switches when they were placed among cadets w ho speak the same L1. A more effective interaction among the cadets was noted when they were placed among groups of the same gender and speak the same L1.