TRANSLANGUAGING IN TEACHING FOREIGN LANGUAGES

Abstract

The concept of translanguaging first surfaced within linguistics and language education towards the end of the 20th century. Its wider acknowledgement and adoption in the early 21st century represent a certain liberation from negative perceptions regarding bilingualism and offer a different perspective on monolingualism and bi/multilingualism. Translanguaging involves the use of one language to enhance comprehension in another language, thereby increasing the proficiency of students in both languages [3]. Baker (2011) describes translanguaging as “the process of making meaning, shaping experiences, gaining understanding and knowledge through the use of two languages” [1].