Translanguaging in Practice: Exploring Translanguaging Pedagogical Approaches with English Language Learners

Translanguaging is a pedagogical classroom approach that utilises learners’ full range of linguistic resources in their learning. It not only brings learners’ languages into the classroom but uses them in meaningful pedagogic ways. Despite the value of learners’ languages being increasingly understood amongst teachers in schools and amongst pre-service teachers, the question of how to practically apply translanguaging pedagogy in classrooms remains unknown or a challenge for many teachers. This article uses reflective practice to illustrate how a collaborative partnership between in-service and pre-service teachers, and the researcher-lecturer, explores translanguaging within one school context. It outlines the challenges faced by teacher practitioners and the benefits of this approach for English language learners. The article also offers considerations for the approach in other contexts.