Investigating language switching in second-language writing: A case study of adult Chinese-speaking writers with differing proficiency in English.

摘要

This study investigated language switching in second language (L2) writing, focusing on relations between frequencies of language switching and L2 proficiency, purposes for language-switching behaviors, and relations between language switching and writing procedures. Eight adult Chinese-speaking ESL (English as a second language) learners with 2 differing levels of proficiency in English performed 2 writing tasks: an informal personal letter and an argument essay. Data were think-aloud protocols, retrospective interviews, questionnaires, and written compositions. Language-switching frequencies were similar across groups and tasks but varied slightly by L2 proficiency. Participants switched languages for similar purposes while composing the two writing tasks, but participants with a low or high proficiency level switched to their L1 using different approaches to their writing processes.