Translanguaging for Adult ESOL Instruction
According to SupportEd, translanguage refers to “using more than one language to communicate and fully utilizing one’s linguistic resources”. One asset that English learners bring into the classroom is that they already speak a different language. Whether they are literate or not in their heritage language is a consideration, but even if they are not literate, they are fluent in at least one other language. English language instructors can leverage our learners’ language abilities for developing proficiency in English, and translanguaging is a strategy for doing just that.
The following resources help to explain the strategy of translanguaging and present resources and strategies for using it in the English language learning context. Utilizing this strategy supports instructors in implementing culturally responsive education and asset-based approaches to their English language instruction.
- SupportEd, Clarifying the Roles of Translating, Interpreting, and Translanguaging: This article helps build an understanding of what translanguaging is and what role it can play in English language instruction.
- SupportED, Considerations for Integrating Home Language Supports as a Scaffold for Multilingual Learners tool : This tool provides some guiding questions as you plan to integrate strategic home language use into your instruction.
- ATLAS Minnesota, Translanguaging as an Antiracist Practice: This webinar presents additional opportunities for using heritage languages in the classroom.