MARIA LUZ ELENA CANILAO (ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY)

VOICELESS, CHOICELESS, AND POWERLESS? ADOPTING A TRANSLANGUAGING FRAMEWORK FOR LEARNER EMPOWERMENT : PLURILINGUALISM AND TRANSLANGUAGING

English language teaching (ELT) that is anchored in monolingual paradigms, policies, and practices may isolate, marginalize, and disempower students in multicultural classrooms. For instance, the imposition of the English Only Policy in academic domains deprives them of their right and freedom to use their linguistic and cultural resources that serve as scaffolds and bridges in the language learning process. Moreover, the privileging of particular English varieties leave no room for students to express themselves and their identities using their local Englishes. With such practices, learners who have more access to the English language and the favored varieties are given an automatic edge while the others are driven into deep silence. In this presentation, I will examine ELT structures and systems that make students voiceless, choiceless, and powerless based on the case studies I have conducted in the Philippines. Using my research discoveries and drawing from my teaching experiences, I will propose the 5 Ts (Tenets, Targets, Texts, Tasks, and Translanguaging) Framework which I have conceptualized to promote equity, diversity, and inclusivity in multicultural classrooms. This framework incorporates the notions of translingual practice, 21st Century learning, multimodality, purposive communication, and intercultural awareness. The challenges and dilemmas that may be encountered in using this framework will also be tackled. Furthermore, how it may be adopted will be explored and discussed. This translanguaging framework may be considered by other educators who would like to find the appropriate blend and balance of ELT lessons, models, and activities for empowering all learners in multicultural classrooms.

Maria Luz Elena N. Canilao is Associate Professor at the Ateneo de Manila University. Her works focus on multilingual education; translanguaging; language planning and policy; and Global Englishes. She is an educator and mentor whose primary advocacy is the empowerment of learners and teachers in multilingual contexts.