Insight Mosaic e-Megazine (First Edition)

Introduction Language is never just a tool for communication; it also embodies identity, culture, and thought. In multilingual societies, the practice of code-switching (alternating between languages within discourse) plays a vital role in education, social interaction, and even religious life. In Malaysia, where Malay, English, Mandarin, Tamil, and indigenous languages coexist, this practice reflects both societal diversity and the realities of classroom learning. This article explores code-switching through the reflections of Malaysian educators who were once ESL (English as a Second Language) students. Their experiences highlight how language practices evolve over time, offering insights not only into pedagogy but also into culture, identity, and society. 22 Siti Nur Baiin Che Harun holds a bachelor’s degree in English Language, Literature, and Linguistics (Linguistics) from IIUM and an MA in Applied Linguistics with TESOL from the University of Sheffield. With over a decade of teaching experience, she is currently a Language Teacher at FPBU, USIM, specializing in communicative, academic, and professional English. Siti Nur Baiin Che Harun Language Teacher, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) sitinurbaiin@usim.edu.my THE JOURNEY OF CODE- SWITCHING IN ESL CLASSROOMS