Effective Translanguaging in English Primary Classrooms

Abstract

Translanguaging pedagogy refers to the use of first language to support second language learning, which is more common in the context of multilingualism and communicative language teaching. This chapter first reviews the development of this practice before examining specific classroom procedures and teachers’ reflection in some Vietnam primary school contexts. It is revealed that translanguaging is mostly used to support students’ understanding of the task and to manage the class. With older primary students, when they have more knowledge in their home language and get familiarized with classroom routines, translanguaging can be used to give quick explanations to grammar rules and to connect new language with their home language. Teachers should understand the teaching purpose of each classroom activity and makea good judgement of classroom factors to adjust their translanguaging purposefully and effectively to support students’ linguistic and social development.