Translanguaging in EFL Classrooms: Practice and Implications for Lecturers from Students’ Lens

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.24443

Keywords:

translanguaging, EFL, code-switching, pedagogy

Abstract

Translanguaging, introduced by Cen William, refers to using two or more languages in the same lessons in a bilingual classroom. Although sharing certain similarities with code-switching as a phenomenon, Translanguaging has been developed to be a teaching method in EFL classrooms as an adaptive, innovative response to the dynamic changes in the modern scenario in which internationalization and digitalization are the central influential factors. However, in the Vietnamese context, Translanguaging is still questionable among stakeholders as it challenges the well-established ELT traditional approaches. The study sought to uncover contextual insights regarding the use and efficacy of translanguaging in EFL classrooms by analyzing quantitative and qualitative data. An online survey, with both Likert-type items and open-ended questions, was administered to collect data from 183 university students from a university in Ho Chi Minh city. In addition, qualitative data were obtained from semi-structured interviews with ten students from the same group. Although the findings show positive aspects of translanguaging in action, they also reveal the challenges that the theories provide for both the instructor and students in acquiring English at the tertiary level.

Author Biographies

  • Pham Huong Ngoc Uyen, HCMC University of Economics and Finance, Vietnam

    Ms. Pham Huong Ngoc Uyen is currently a lecturer at HCMC University of Economics and Finance. For over ten years, she has taught English Linguistics and General English courses in international undergraduate joint programs. She holds a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics from Curtin University, Australia, and earned her Bachelor's degree in English Language Teaching from the HCMC University of Pedagogy. Currently, as she is a Ph.D. candidate at HCMC University of Social Sciences and Humanities, her research fields of interest are the application of innovative methods in ELT, the promotion of students’ motivation, and other varied aspects of linguistics, which can change and make an impact in all directions of life.

  • Nguyen Trang Dung, Ho Chi Minh University of Technology, Vietnam

    Nguyen Trang Dung has been a lecturer of English at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology for 15 years since her graduation from Ho Chi Minh City University of Education in 2008. As a teacher, she is also a source of inspiration, even if not with the actual content of the lesson but with her attitude. Teaching keeps her brain young, allowing her to continue her own journey as a lifelong leaner. It was not until obtaining Master Degree in Applied Linguistics from University of Curtin in 2012 that made her aware of the great interest in second language acquisition.

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Published

07-10-2024

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Research Article

How to Cite

Pham, H. N. U., & Nguyen, T. D. (2024). Translanguaging in EFL Classrooms: Practice and Implications for Lecturers from Students’ Lens. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 4(4), 54-68. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.24443

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