e-Journal of ELTS (English Language Teaching Society)
Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026)

EXPLORING TRANSLANGUAGING PRACTICES AS A PEDAGOGICAL STRATEGY IN TEACHING ENGLISH AT VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Nafisah Ainiyyah (Institut Agama Islam Negeri Parepare)
Yulie Asni (Institut Agama Islam Negeri Parepare)
Zulfah Fakhruddin (Institut Agama Islam Negeri Parepare)
Abdul Haris Sunubi (Institut Agama Islam Negeri Parepare)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Jun 2026

Abstract

This study aims to describe the implementation of translanguaging practices by English teachers in vocational high school classrooms and to explore the perceived benefits and challenges of this pedagogical strategy. Utilizing a field-based qualitative descriptive approach, the research was conducted at SMKN 3 Parepare, involving one English teacher and eight students. Data were collected through classroom observations, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis of lesson plans and teaching modules, then analyzed using the Miles and Huberman interaction model. The findings reveal that translanguaging is primarily implemented as a spontaneous, rather than planned, instructional response. It serves crucial functions in classroom management, cognitive scaffolding—particularly in grammar instruction by comparing local languages (Buginese and Indonesian) with English—and facilitating student interaction. The perceived benefits include bridged comprehension, reduced speaking anxiety, and increased student confidence. However, a significant challenge emerged regarding students' limited basic vocabulary, leading to a high risk of dependency on their native languages. These findings imply that educators should adopt a flexible, linguistically inclusive approach rather than strict English-only policies, validating students' multilingual resources as cognitive bridges. Nevertheless, teachers must manage translanguaging systematically to prevent over-reliance on the first language and gradually guide students toward English independence

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

elts

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

e-Journal of ELTS (English Language Teaching Society) is an electronic open-access journal that aims to publish the latest research results in the area of English education from academicians, professionals, and other practitioners at all levels of English education. The journal coverage includes the ...