Translanguaging is the term used to describe practices that allow and encourage EAL learners to use their full linguistic repertoire in order to empower them and help them to realise their full potential. This means encouraging them to speak, write and/or translate to and from their first language or any language they speak and English, to support their learning.
Encouraging translanguaging involves fostering positive attitudes towards multilingualism and encouraging EAL learners to be proud of all their language skills. Allowing learners to choose which language to use at any time is a key feature of translanguaging.
Below is an example of translanguaging in action. In this example, the teacher sets up a group discussion, where she enables and encourages the children to move fluidly between English and other languages they know, in this case, Romanian.
See how she sets up the discussion so that learners at different levels of proficiency in English support one another through their shared knowledge of Romanian.
Translanguaging can be used with EAL learners at all stages of English language proficiency, at any age and across the curriculum.
Here are some more ways you can use translanguaging in the classroom:
Top tip: Make sure that the EAL learners in the class are clear that they are encouraged to use their first language in lessons (unless asked to use English for a specific task) and that this will help them to develop both/all their languages.
All EAL learners have useful language skills in their first language, and many also have literacy skills, which they can build on to acquire academic English. Learners may sometimes find it easier to engage with new concepts in their first language and transfer that knowledge and understanding to English. The principle of building on the learner’s prior knowledge is a key aspect of EAL pedagogy (NALDIC 1999).
Research such as the work of Cummins (dual iceberg and threshold theories), and Collier and Thomas (2002) recommends a socio-culturally supportive school environment for EAL learners that allows natural language, academic, and cognitive development to flourish in their first and second languages. Welsh research into bilingual education (Baker and Wright 2017) points to the advantages of bilingualism and bilingual education, and there is also research that suggests the cognitive benefits continue into later life (e.g. Bialystock et al. 2012).
Researchers into translanguaging, such as Garcia and Li, argue that giving EAL learners the opportunity to use their full language repertoire empowers them and enables them to reach their full potential. The importance of a positive attitude to multilingualism has been suggested by various researchers and activist for a long time. For example, Skutnabb-Kangas (1984) coined the term ‘linguistic human rights’ and challenged what she saw as ‘linguicism’. Levy et al (2014) suggested that learners whose first language is seen as low status in schools feel less included. Conteh (2015) reinforces the idea that valuing multilingualism in schools promotes success for EAL learners.
Baker, C. and Wright, W.E., 2017, Foundations of bilingual education and bilingualism (6th edition), Bristol: Multilingual Matters.
Bialystock, E., Craik, F. I., Luk, G. 2012, Bilingualism: consequences for mind and brain, Trends in Cognitive Science 16, 240-250.
Conteh, J., 2015, The EAL Teaching Book: promoting success for multilingual learners (2nd edition), London: Sage.
Levy, T., Little, S., Clough, P., Nutbrown, C., Bishop, J., Lamb, T. and Yamada-Rice, D., 2014, Attitudes to Reading and Writing and their Links with Social Mobility 1914-2014: An evidence review, Sheffield.
NALDIC, 1999, The distinctiveness of English as an Additional Language: a cross-curricular discipline, National Association of Language Development in the Curriculum, Working Paper 5.
Skutnabb-Kangas, T., 1984, Bilingualism or not the education of minorities. Clevedon, Avon: Multilingual Matters.
Thomas, W.P. and Collier, V.P., 2002, A National Study of School Effectiveness for Language Minority Students' Long-Term Academic Achievement. Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC.