Translanguaging in Bilingual Schools in Wales
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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DOI
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.
Keywords
- Bilingual, Bilingual Education, Immersion Education, Minority Languages, Teacher Education, Translanguaging, Wales
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 199-215 |
Journal | Journal of Language, Identity & Education |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2 Aug 2017 |