Translanguaging for teaching-learning English as a foreign language to children

Resumen

Introduction: Translanguaging is a pedagogical strategy that permits educators to utilize their native language as a tool to teach English as a Foreign Language (EFL). It enables students to feel comfortable and engaged in the learning process, leading to better comprehension and retention of the language. This research aims to analyze the impact of translanguaging as a pedagogical strategy in teaching English to children as a foreign language. Materials and methods: The methodology focused on a pre-experimental design with a mixed approach to study translanguaging as a pedagogical strategy in children located at Canton Chone, Manabí, Ecuador with a sample of 20 students from a private Ecuadorian elementary school who attended regular education during the 2023-2024 school year. The instruments used are pre-test, logbooks to describe the reality to students before and after the treatment, and post-test. Results and discussion: The results show that translanguaging as a pedagogical strategy significantly improved participants' motivation, participation, and knowledge, as it helped them understand instructions and explanations about a topic and use the EFL more confidently without fear of making mistakes. Conclusions: It is concluded that translanguaging as a pedagogical strategy has a positive impact on the teaching-learning of the English language, encouraging students not only to like the language but also to use it without fear.