CHALLENGES OF TRANSLANGUAGING APPROACH TO TEACHING IN A DYNAMIC HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTION

Use of a language that has to be learnt first is usually less effective in teaching than when using the mother tongue. Some learning deficiencies are blocked by inability of a learner to understand the language in which the learning instruction is given. There are instances where mother tongue use in teaching is not possible. In general, the use of mother tongue in teaching is ideal for quick and easy acquisition in learning at any educational level. However, for practicality reason, the medium of instruction has taken over the role of mother tongue in cases where these two differ. In some countries where this was the case, translanguaging (TL) approach to teaching was used to assist in augmenting learning. TL was used successfully, particularly in small countries, and in cases where bilingualism (or few languages) is the method used. The case of large classes where groups are formed, and where there are many languages, diversity is still posing a threat and challenges to the success of TL. This paper discusses some of the TL challenges in a multilingual environment. It also proposes ways to offset some of the learning hurdles in order to enhance an optimal TL platform for learning in a dynamic learning environment.