In today's diverse landscape, bilingual and multilingual learners offer compelling linguistic and cultural assets into the classroom. These students bring unique skills to the learning environment, particularly in the realm of literacy instruction. In order to adapt, educators must evolve.
Part of that evolution includes a foundational understanding of inclusive pedagogical frameworks, specifically, translanguaging.
“... taking up a translanguaging lens in classrooms—and particularly language and literacy classrooms—has positive results for both teachers and students. When teachers take up a lens that enables them to view their students for their linguistic gifts and sophisticated ways of knowing, and when students are welcomed as their full selves, with access to all of their linguistic and cultural resources, powerful co-learning can take place (García & Li Wei, 2014).”
Teachers who cultivate translanguaging are learner-centered.
In essence, they encourage their students to draw on their linguistic resources when interacting with academic content. Rather than confining students to one dominant language, teachers allow their students to navigate fluidly between languages because they understand the importance of creating a supportive and contextually relevant learning environment.
One way to embrace the translanguaging model is through the use of translated texts. Utilizing tools like Adaptive Reader, educators can provide translated texts to promote student agency while valuing and honoring diverse linguistic backgrounds.
How Translated Texts through Adaptive Reader Benefit Translanguaging
- Translated texts give multilingual learners the power to challenge themselves as they begin their translanguage journey.
- Allowing students to choose which language and level best suits their linguistic and cognitive needs foster classroom engagement and literacy identity.
- Translated texts enhance comprehension by bridging language gaps in understanding and unpacking complex ideas through bilingual scaffolding.
- Allowing students to navigate between languages (in print and audio formats) encourages students to build critical thinking in language use, thus increasing their metalinguistic awareness.
- Translated texts allow students to appreciate their own language skills rather than seeing their linguistic diversity as a barrier.
How Adaptive Reader’s Translated Texts Benefit Students
When it comes to providing translated texts, Adaptive Reader is a powerful tool. This online resource offers an expanding and accessible classical library of translated texts at multiple reading levels, thus benefiting students in many distinct ways.
- Reading translated classical works allows students to compare linguistic structures, idioms, and cultural expressions across languages.
- Encouraging students to access both the original and translated versions deepens their understanding of the text while enhancing their language skills.
- Engaging with translated literature gives students the power to express their reflections and interpretations in their preferred language.
Conclusion
In conclusion, translated texts, and particularly tools like Adaptive Reader, offer a promising approach in establishing an organic and fluid translanguaging pedagogy. Bilingual and multilingual learners offer unique and distinct linguistic and cultural assets into the classroom. In addition, they remind teachers that classrooms are not one-way, one-language landscapes. Evolving, self-aware educators understand that learning is a collaborative experience. Leveraging translanguaging and the potential of translated texts is one step in that direction.
Sources:
Pedagogical Translanguaging (cambridge.org)
SquireOfficePolicyBrief_Translanguaging_April2021.pdf (ncte.org)