THE IMPACT OF CODE SWITCHING ON LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN JOSEPH AYO BABALOLA UNIVERSITY, IKEJI-ARAKEJI, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

This project examined the impact of code-switching on language development among undergraduates in Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State. This research aims to know how the habit of code-switching languages affects students. It looked at how it helps or harms the way students learn and use language. The focus was on the four language skills, and also checked on how often students code-switch and in what situations they use it. The study employs a quantitative research design, utilising questionnaires distributed to a sample of 100 undergraduate students selected from various departments within the university. A total of 100 students were selected based on their educational qualifications. Respondents' samples consist of 42% for males and 58% for females, representing 42 males and 58 females, respectively. The data show that 70% are Yoruba,15% are Hausa, and 10% are from [Edo, Tiv, Urhobo]. The study also looked at how code-switching affects the four main language skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. 70% of students said their speaking improved, 65% said listening improved, 60% said reading improved, and 50% said writing improved. This shows that code-switching helps students more in speaking and listening than in reading and writing. When asked if code-switching affected their performance in school, 68% of students said yes, and 32% said no. Some said they understood lessons better when teachers used both English and Yoruba. However, a few students said it made it hard for them to focus only on English. This study looked at how code-switching affects students’ language development skills at Joseph Ayo Babalola University. Code-switching means changing from one language to another while speaking or writing. Most students in the study said they often switch between English and Yoruba, especially when talking to friends or family. The findings showed that many students think code-switching helps them speak, listen, and understand better. Some students also said it helped them read and write. A large number of students said codeswitching made learning easier, especially when their teachers used both English and Yoruba in class. Most students had a positive attitude towards code-switching and believed it was accepted in their community. However, a few students noted that code-switching could sometimes be confusing or lead to problems with grammar, especially in writing. But overall, most students believed it helped more than it harmed.