A theses submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree"Licence en Langue et Littérature Anglaises".

Résumé,

Code switching, as a linguistic phenomenon that is universally present in languages, has attracted many researches. Scholars have tried to study this phenomenon, its motivations and its role in society. In Burundi where English is the second language (L2), many people code switch from English to other languages and vice versa. This study sets out to establish the position of code switching between English and Kirundi or French, particularly switching from English to Kirundi / French in a post fundamental school setting.

It describes the analysis and nature of this switching, the factors determining its occurrence, the role it pays in interaction and learning, and its implication on the English already learnt and communication in fundamental and post-fundamental schools. Several hypotheses were set and tested using observation, audio-recording and questionnaires. This study, carried out among Post Fundamental School Students and Teachers in some selected schools, was based on the lexis and syntax where a description of words, phrases, clauses and sentences from English to Kirundi / French were studied. Consequently, it was recommended that further investigations on CS may include a phonological anlysis and also to strengthen the English Language teaching so that Teachers switch selectively and intentionally to reinforce learning.