Translanguaging in Swedish ELT in upper-secondary school : A study of students' self-reported use and perceptions of translanguaging

Abstract: The use of translanguaging in ELT classrooms can have significant benefits for multilingual students. This study investigates how students with background languages other than Swedish perceive the use of translanguaging in ELT classes. The study aims to answer questions about how these students perceive teachers' use of it, their perception of their own use of it, and in which classroom activities they report a need to use it. Data was collected through a questionnaire that was carried out in three Swedish as a second language classrooms in two separate upper-secondary schools in southern Sweden. Generally, the findings showed a predominantly positive attitude towards the teachers' use of translanguaging in the ELT classroom, but some students did not find it helpful. The majority of students reported that their background languages helped them understand and develop their English language skills. Translanguaging was also supportive in various classroom activities, such as reading comprehension. The study concludes by pedagogical implications for translanguaging use in the ELT classroom in Sweden.