Translanguaging as a political stance: implications for English language education. (27th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wei, Li
• Is Part Of: ELT journal. Volume 76:Number 2(2022)
• Page Start: 172
• Page End: 182
• Publication Date: 2021-12-27
• Subjects: Translanguaging -- ELT -- EAL -- politics -- decolonisation; English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers -- Periodicals; 428.0071
• DOI: 10.1093/elt/ccab083
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0951-0893

Abstract

Abstract: Following the multilingual trend in language education, translanguaging advocates active use of multiple languages and other meaning-making resources in a dynamic and integrated way in teaching and learning. When it comes to foreign language education, translanguaging advocates a view that the languages the learners already have should and can play a very positive role in learning additional languages. Moreover, the knowledge already acquired through the learners' first and/or prior learned languages also plays an important role in foreign-language-medium education. This view is more than a pedagogic or theoretical perspective; it is a political stance, a decolonizing stance, that this article explores. It discusses the implications of the political naming of languages and critiques notions such as academic English.