Translanguaging in Action

 Embracing Students' Full Linguistic Repertoire

When Spanish- speaking  English language learners walk into a classroom, they bring more than just developing English skills —they bring a full linguistic and cultural toolbox. Yet too often, these tools go unused or even untecognized. That's where translanguaging (Garcia & Wei, 2014) comes in. Translanguaging is a powerful approach that encourages learners to draw from both languages — Spanish and English— to make meaning, deepen understanding, and express themselves fully.

What is Translanguaging? 

Translanguaging is not just switching between languages. It is a dynamic process where multilingual speakers use all of their language resources to think, learn, and communicate. Instead of keeping Spanish and English separate, translanguaging encourages fluid movement between both languages, allowing students to, for example:

  • Use Spanish to understand complex content in English
  • Take notes in one language and discuss in another
  • Draf writing in Spanish and revise in English
  • Reflect and share their ideas in the language that feels most natural
This approach sees students as bilingual thinkers, not just English learners.

Why it Works for Spanish-Speaking ELLs

Depending on the grade level, Spanish-speaking students may have strong academic knowledge and vocabulary in their first language. In those cases, Translanguaging:
  • Builds confidence by validating their first language
  • Boosts comprehension by using their home language as bridge
  • Accelerates learning by reducing cognitive overload
  • Affirms identity and promotes cultural pride
Instead of seeing Spanish as an obstacle, translanguaging recognizes it as a strategic asset.

How Does Translanguaging Look Like in the Classroom?

Here are some real classroom examples that teachers can implement:
  • 📖Reading: Students read a bilingual text, discuss itnin Spanish, then write a summary in English.
  • 🧪 Science: Students can record experiment observations in Spanish, then present their findings in English.
  • ✍Writing: Working with a partner, students brainstorm in Spanish and write the final composition in both languages.
  • 🤔Projects: Students create posters with captions in both languages to explain ideas. 
Translanguaging isn't about doing everything in Spanish —it is about allowing students to use their full language range strategically.

Tips for Educators

Are you ready to implement translanguaging in your classroom? Here are some ideas:
  • Encourage bilingual thinking: let students talk through ideas in Spanish before working in English.
  • Use bilingual word walls, anchor chart, and directions
  • Create a Bridge space to support cross-linguistic transfer
  • Create assignments that invite both languages, e.g. bilingual poetry, reflections, journals, etc.
Translanguaging isn't just a strategy —it's a mindset. It tells the bilingual learner: "Your whole self is welcome here." When Spanish-speaking students are allowed to learn through all of their languages,  they thrive not only academically but socially and emotionally. They're not just learning English — they're becoming confident bilinguals who know their voices matter.