By Vahid Alaghehband
Translanguaging is an academic concept describing the flexible, conscious use of a bilingual person's entire linguistic repertoire, instead of treating their two languages as fully separate systems that shouldn't mix. It was formalized by researchers Ofelia García and Li Wei in a landmark book published in 2014.
The idea of "banning Spanish from English class" comes from a view where the two languages compete with each other. Translanguaging proposes the opposite: that your Spanish, used well, can speed up your English instead of getting in the way. It is especially useful at the first levels, when Spanish still carries much of the comprehension. After that, practicing in English with a clear goal, as in Vozi Missions, helps you make the jump to conversation.
What is translanguaging, and why does it matter for Spanish speakers learning English?
García and Wei (2014) defined translanguaging as the flexible use of a bilingual person's full linguistic repertoire, rather than treating two languages as separate systems. Applied to learning English, this means using Spanish as a conscious bridge, not something to avoid.
García and Wei's book, published by Palgrave Macmillan, argues that bilinguals don't switch from "language system A" to "language system B" like separate drawers — they draw on a single, integrated repertoire. Applied to teaching, this validates practices like explaining an English grammar pattern by directly comparing it to its equivalent (or absence) in Spanish, instead of explaining it only in English.
Possible explanations (hypotheses, not an exact measurement)
García and Wei describe a general theoretical framework for bilingual education — these are reasonable readings applied to the specific case of Spanish speakers learning English:
Explaining an error in terms of your own language speeds up understanding. Saying "in Spanish you'd say X, in English it's Y" connects to what you already know, instead of starting from zero.
Spanish isn't an obstacle — it's an available resource. Ignoring it entirely wastes a tool you've already mastered 100%.
Language transfer errors (a recurring topic on this blog) are, at their core, a case of translanguaging gone wrong without guidance. When no one explains the difference between the two systems, your brain blends the patterns uncorrected.
What can help
Use your native language as a support for understanding and comparing structures, alongside examples in English matched to your level.
Consciously compare Spanish and English structures, instead of pretending your Spanish doesn't exist while you learn.
Combine native-language support with guided practice in English. These strategies can complement each other according to the goal of the activity.
Want to put grammar into practice through a guided conversation in English?
Explore Vozi Grammar →If you teach English, also read AI tools for English teachers; and for the theory on why understanding the message matters, Krashen's input hypothesis.
This is where HelloVozi comes in
Vozi Grammar guides you from an explanation of a structure to its use in a guided conversation. It teaches in English through examples, visual support, hints and adaptive practice. The interface is in Spanish and practice happens in English.
If you are just starting, follow our path to learn English from scratch, from A0 to A2, with a daily routine and the mistakes worth avoiding.
Next step: if you don't know your level, take the English level test (about 15 minutes, with instant results). To keep working on this topic, see how to practice English speaking with AI in Vozi Coach.
Frequently asked questions
What is translanguaging?
It's an academic concept describing the flexible use of a bilingual person's entire linguistic repertoire, instead of treating their two languages as separate systems that shouldn't mix.
Who proposed the concept of translanguaging?
It was formalized in a landmark 2014 book by researchers Ofelia García and Li Wei, published by Palgrave Macmillan.
Does using Spanish to learn English slow down learning?
According to the translanguaging framework, no — consciously using your native language as a bridge can speed up understanding rather than slow it down.
Does Vozi Grammar use Spanish to explain English?
Vozi Grammar teaches and gives feedback in English, with examples and visual support. The interface can be in Spanish; the activity is guided in English.
