Translanguaging workshop attendees

In a groundbreaking move to foster inclusive education, the Central University of Technology Language Services Unit (LSU), in collaboration with the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching (CILT), embarked on a series of translanguaging workshops.

The first of these workshops, for student support staff, was held at the Bloemfontein Campus on 28 August 2024. A translanguaging workshop for academic staff will be held on 16 and 17 September 2024, in the Japie van Lill Auditorium.

The goal of the workshop was to introduce students, through their peer advisors and student instructors, to the concept of translanguaging, strategies and techniques to navigate language barriers. Translanguaging is a powerful approach that recognises and values the linguistic diversity of students. It allows the university to leverage students’ full linguistic repertoire to support their learning and development, creating a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for all.

In his opening remarks, Dr Xolani Khohliso, Director: Curriculum and Academic Staff Development (CASD), mentioned that the topic relating to translanguaging is not a new question, but instead an old question that emanates from the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, which addresses language issues as key, and as one of South African individuals’ important rights. “Colleagues, as we are gathered here today, I want us to look at translanguaging in the context of higher education and what it means. Translanguaging refers to the practice of leveraging on the multiple languages that we have,” said Dr Khohliso.

He further mentioned that language is a natural resource that we were born with to enable us to engage, communicate, write, and exchange ideas at different levels, and the purpose of such an exercise allows the institution to promote inclusivity. He added that such a project is initiated to advance the cause of critical thinking and improve the level of engagements by bridging the gap between academic language and home language.

The facilitator, Mr Letsela Motaung, Senior Researcher at the Academy of Multilingualism at the University of the Free State (UFS), delivered a presentation under the theme: “Pathways for student academic support: Leveraging on translanguaging practices in a university”. The presentation covered aspects such as translanguaging pathways, creating translanguaging space, and encouraging translanguaging practices. During his presentation, Mr Motaung emphasised the importance of translanguaging in an academic landscape as a transformative pedagogical approach that will enhance the learning and teaching experiences of students in a multilingual educational setting. He concluded his presentation by adding that translanguaging practice recognises and utilises the full linguistic repertoire of students, allowing them to draw on their home languages alongside their target languages.

The workshop provided a valuable opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of translanguaging and explore strategies for effectively implementing it in their work with students. Through the interactive session, discussions, and sharing of experiences, the attendees gained practical insights and tools to enhance student support services.

A translanguaging workshop for all academic staff will be held on 16 and 17 September 2024, in the Japie van Lill Auditorium. Click here to RSVP.