Learning a second language can be exhilarating and exciting. It can also be intimidating, confusing, and exhausting. To add to the complexity of this experience, many of our students who are learning English are dealing with significant life changes and sometimes trauma.
Consider how we can apply translanguaging–using knowledge of one language to help with another–in our classrooms. Morphology is a natural connection since many words share common roots and origins across languages. When talking about vocabulary and breaking down words, invite multilingual students to share words from their language(s) to see if there are connections. This is enlightening for all of our students!
Be open and intentional about including other languages in your classroom in a variety of contexts. Rather than discouraging the use of another language, empower your students to share their language–either orally or in writing. Not only does this validate and affirm our multilingual students, but it also positions a second language as an advantage rather than a disadvantage.
“To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world.” Chinese Proverb