Prof. Kevin Tai
The University of Hong Kong
Session
11:00 am
Uncovering Multiple Translanguaging Sub-Spaces in Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Classrooms Â
Translanguaging is an emerging concept within the Applied Linguistics and Language Education field, and it has the potential to promote equity and social justice. As a theory of language, translanguaging encourages both teachers and students to utilize their diverse multilingual and multimodal resources. This approach challenges traditional configurations, categories, and power structures in language education, aiming to equalize the hierarchy of languages in the classroom and facilitate students' active participation in constructing new meanings and language practices. In this presentation, I aim to broaden our comprehension of a multilingual classroom as an integrated translanguaging space, which involves various fluid and mobile translanguaging sub-spaces. I will present empirical research findings that illustrate how teachers can create different translanguaging sub-spaces to cater for the different needs of all students, which can promote interaction and social inclusion in the classrooms. Â
About the speaker
Professor Kevin W. H. Tai is Assistant Professor of Language and Literacy Education and Co-Director of the Centre for Advancement in Inclusive and Special Education (CAISE) at the Faculty of Education in The University of Hong Kong (HKU). He also holds the position of Chair of the Working Group for Research in the Academic Unit of Language and Literacy Education at HKU and serves as the Chair of the Special Interest Group for Translanguaging and Inclusive Education in CAISE at HKU. He was recently awarded the RGC Early Career Award in 2023/24 from the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong, the University Research Output Prize and the Faculty Early Career Research Output Award from HKU for recognising his excellent achievements in research. In relation to his editorial positions, Kevin Tai is Editor of The Language Learning Journal (ESCI-listed Journal; Routledge), Assistant Editor of the International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism (SSCI-listed Journal; Routledge) and Executive Guest Editor of Learning and Instruction (SSCI-listed Journal; Elsevier). His research interests include: language education policy, classroom discourse, translanguaging in multilingual contexts and qualitative research methods (particularly Multimodal Conversation Analysis, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Linguistic Ethnography). Kevin Tai is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).