Translanguaging as an Aspect of ESP Acquisition in Non-Linguistic Universities

¹ State University of Economics and Technology, Department of Foreign Languages, 50005 Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine
² Tashkent branch of MSU named after M.V. Lomonosov, Amir Timur str., 22, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

^* Corresponding author: pygmalion.utu@gmail.com

Abstract

This article seeks to develop Translanguaging as a theory and an efficient ESP classroom practice. We consider Translanguaging at linguistic and linguodidactic (spontaneous, or preplanned) levels. Our findings may be of certain practical value for ESP teachers, hesitant about acceptance of Translanguaging for building rapport with students, creating a positive learning environment and aiding their acquisition of target language. We contextualize Translanguaging in the ESP classroom realities of the State University of Economics and Technology (Ukraine), National University of Tashkent, Bukhara State University (Uzbekistan) and Samara State Technical University (the Russian Federation). The study was based upon the online survey of teachers’ attitude towards Translanguaging and their practice of translanguaging in ESP classrooms. In order to obtain reliable information and to explore the topic rigorously we applied a combined-method design, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. The paper provides empirical results on the role of translanguaging in ESP classrooms, the expediency of using the translanguaging strategy in ESP classes and its "legitimization" in the methodology of teaching, the extent of using Translanguaging by university teachers and students, evaluations of Translanguaging shortcomings and benefits. Studies have shown that translanguaging is both an efficient learning tool and a useful teaching method if pedagogical activities are designed thoroughly.