Translanguaging in Bilingual Schools in Wales

This article examines the use of translanguaging as a pedagogical tool to support learning within bilingual classrooms in schools in Wales. Translanguaging is considered within non-pedagogic and pedagogic school contexts; hence, a distinction is made between universal and classroom translanguaging. Translanguaging has evoked debate surrounding the needed protection of the minoritized language; for example, in some designated Welsh-medium schools in predominantly English-speaking areas of Wales, there is a growing concern among teachers that allowing the use of majority language texts for translanguaging purposes might be a stepping-stone for increasing the use of English. This article asserts that bilingual education for the empowerment of minoritized languages, such as Welsh, must protect a space for the minoritized language, while simultaneously creating a bilingual space in which Welsh can interact with English. Hence, this article argues for the benefits of translanguaging in Welsh bilingual education and demonstrates instances in which this occurs.