Abstract
This study explores the integration of multimodal teaching, translanguaging, and dialogic pedagogy to improve English literacy among junior students in a Chinese private university. In the context of globalization, proficiency in English is essential for these students, yet many face challenges that hinder their literacy development. This research examines how multimodal mind maps, as tools for translanguaging and multimodal learning, reveal student perspectives on language learning and literacy development in Chinese private universities. The study offers insights with significant potential for shaping educational practices and curriculum design in Chinese private universities (Canagarajah, Suresh. 2012. Translingual practice: Global Englishes and cosmopolitan relations. New York: Routledge). By strategically implementing multimodal teaching techniques, the research introduces innovative strategies to enhance English literacy (García, Ofelia & Li Wei. 2014. Translanguaging: Language, Bilingualism and education. Palgrave Macmillan; Jewitt, Carey & Gunther Kress. 2010. Multimodality, literacy and school English. In D. Wyse, R. Andrews & J. Hoffman (eds.), The Routledge international handbook of English, language and literacy teaching, 342–352. London: Routledge; Vygotsky, Lev S. 1978. Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press). The findings highlight the interplay between linguistic strategies, instructional methods, and student perspectives, offering effective pedagogical interventions that prioritize multimodal engagement. By bridging theory and practice (Canagarajah, Suresh. 2012. Translingual practice: Global Englishes and cosmopolitan relations. New York: Routledge), this research provides actionable insights that address the literacy challenges and aspirations of junior students. Using a multimodal teaching approach (García, Ofelia & Li Wei. 2014. Translanguaging: Language, Bilingualism and education. Palgrave Macmillan), this study not only demonstrates how diverse modes of communication strengthen students English skills and foster their confidence but also addresses the development of their identities as competent members of an English academic community. Drawing on Norton’s (Norton, Bonny. 2013. Identity and Language learning: Extending the conversation. 2nd edn. Bristol: Multilingual Matters) work on identity and investment in language learning, this research underscores the importance of identity construction in the language learning process. It shows how students, through multimodal engagement, can assert their identities and claim the right to participate in academic communities, thereby preparing them for success in a globally interconnected society.
References
Bezemer, Jeff & Gunther Kress. 2016a. Multimodality, learning and communication: A social semiotic frame, 1 edn. New York: Routledge.10.4324/9781315687537Search in Google Scholar
Bezemer, Jeff & Gunther Kress. 2016b. The textbook in a changing multimodal landscape. Handbuch Sprache im Multimodalen Kontext 7. 476.10.1515/9783110296099-022Search in Google Scholar
Braun, Virginia & Victoria Clarke. 2006. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology 3(2). 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa.Search in Google Scholar
Bucholtz, Mary & Kira Hall. 2005. Identity and interaction: A sociocultural linguistic approach. Discourse Studies 7(4-5). 585–614. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461445605054407.Search in Google Scholar
Canagarajah, Suresh. 2012. Translingual practice: Global Englishes and cosmopolitan relations. New York: Routledge.10.4324/9780203073889Search in Google Scholar
Cope, Bill & Mary Kalantzis. 2009. Multiliteracies: New literacies, new learning. Pedagogies: An International Journal 4(3). 164–195. https://doi.org/10.1080/15544800903076044.Search in Google Scholar
Cope, Bill & Mary Kalantzis. 2015. The things you do to know: An introduction to the pedagogy of multiliteracies. In A Pedagogy of multiliteracies: Learning by design, 1–36. London: Palgrave Macmillan UK.10.1057/9781137539724_1Search in Google Scholar
Crystal, David. 2003. English as a global language. : Cambridge University Press.Search in Google Scholar
Elliot, Andrew J. & Markus A. Maier. 2014. Color psychology: Effects of perceiving color on psychological functioning in humans. Annual Review of Psychology 65(1). 95–120. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010213-115035.Search in Google Scholar
García, Ofelia & Li Wei. 2014. Translanguaging: Language, bilingualism and education. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.10.1057/9781137385765_4Search in Google Scholar
Gao, Yan, Yuling Cui & Peter I. De Costa. 2022. Agree to disagree’: Reconciling an English teacher’s identity tensions in negotiating an educational reform through a community of practice perspective. Language Teaching Research 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1177/13621688221130125.Search in Google Scholar
García, Ofelia. 2009. Education, multilingualism and translanguaging in the 21st century. Social justice for multilingual education, 140–158. Bristol, Blue Ridge Summit: Multilingual Matters.10.21832/9781847691910-011Search in Google Scholar
Gee, James Paul. 2004. Learning language as a matter of learning social languages within discourses. Language learning and teacher education: A sociocultural approach, 13–31. Bristol, Blue Ridge Summit: Multilingual Matters.10.21832/9781853597657-004Search in Google Scholar
Hu, Guangwei. 2009. The craze for English-medium education in China: Driving forces and looming consequences. English Today 25(4). 47–54. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0266078409990472.Search in Google Scholar
Jewitt, Carey (ed.). 2009 The Routledge handbook of multimodal analysis. London: Routledge.Search in Google Scholar
Jewitt, Carey & Gunther Kress. 2010. Multimodality, literacy and school English. In D. Wyse, R. Andrews & J. Hoffman (eds.), The Routledge international handbook of English, language and literacy teaching, 342–352. London: Routledge.Search in Google Scholar
Jewitt, Carey. 2012. Technology, literacy, learning: A multimodal approach. London and New York: Routledge.10.4324/9780203964101Search in Google Scholar
Kaya, Naz & Helen H. Epps. 2004. Relationship between color and emotion: A study of college students. College Student Journal 38(3). 396–405.Search in Google Scholar
Kress, Gunther & Theo Van Leeuwen. 2020a. The semiotic landscape. In Language in use, 344–349. London: Routledge.10.4324/9781003060994-32Search in Google Scholar
Kress, Gunther & Theo van Leeuwen. 2020b. Reading images: The grammar of visual design. London: Routledge.10.4324/9781003099857Search in Google Scholar
Li, Chili, Lili Chen, Cheng Ma, Shuang Zhang & Huan Huang. 2021. Strategy use among Chinese as second language learners in Mainland China from the mediation theory perspective. Frontiers in Psychology 12. 752084. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.752084.Search in Google Scholar
Li, Yao Amber, John Whalley, Shunming Zhang & Xiliang Zhao. 2011. The higher educational transformation of China and its global implications. The World Economy 34(4). 516–545. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9701.2011.01344.x.Search in Google Scholar
Li, Y. & H. Zhu. 2018. English literacy challenges for Chinese undergraduate students in Chinese higher education: A case study of a private university. English for Specific Purposes 51. 1–10.Search in Google Scholar
Lim, Fei Victor & Lydia Tan-Chia. 2022. Designing learning for multimodal literacy: Teaching viewing and representing. London: Routledge.10.4324/9781003258513Search in Google Scholar
Lyubomirsky, Sonja & Kennon Layous. 2013. How do simple positive activities increase well-being? Current Directions in Psychological Science 22(1). 57–62. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721412469809.Search in Google Scholar
Magnusson, Petra & Anna-Lena Godhe. 2019. Multimodality in language education: Implications for teaching. Designs for Learning 11(1). 127–137. https://doi.org/10.16993/dfl.127.Search in Google Scholar
Mercer, Neil. 2007. Dialogue and the development of children’s thinking: A sociocultural approach. New York: Routledge.10.4324/9780203946657Search in Google Scholar
Mitchell, Rosamond, Florence Myles & Emma Marsden. 2019. Second language learning theories. New York: Routledge.10.4324/9781315617046Search in Google Scholar
Moller, Arlen C., Andrew J. Elliot & Markus A. Maier. 2009. Basic hue-meaning associations. Emotion 9(6). 898–902. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017811.Search in Google Scholar
Norton, Bonny. 2000. Identity and language learning: Gender, ethnicity, and educational change. Harlow: Pearson Education.Search in Google Scholar
Norton, Bonny. 2013. Identity and language learning: Extending the conversation. 2nd edn. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.10.21832/9781783090563Search in Google Scholar
Norris, Sigrid. 2004. Analyzing multimodal interaction: A methodological framework. London: Routledge.10.4324/9780203379493Search in Google Scholar
Norris, Sigrid. 2011. Identity in (inter)action: Introducing multimodal (inter)action analysis. Boston: De Gruyter Mouton.10.1515/9781934078280Search in Google Scholar
Norris, Sigrid & Boonyalakha Makboon. 2015. Objects, frozen actions, and identity: A multimodal (inter)action analysis. Multimodal Communication 4(1). 43–59. https://doi.org/10.1515/mc-2015-0007.Search in Google Scholar
Scollon, Ron. 2001. Action and text: Towards an integrated understanding of the place of text in social (inter) action, mediated discourse analysis, and the problem of social action. Methods of critical discourse analysis, 139–183. London, Thousand Oaks, New: SAGE Publications.10.4135/9780857028020.n7Search in Google Scholar
Sun, Xie. 2022. Cross-linguistic influences on bilingual child literacy: Behavioral and neuroimaging evidence. Doctoral dissertation. University of Michigan.Search in Google Scholar
Vygotsky, Lev S. 1978. Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.Search in Google Scholar
Wang, Ying 2020. The role of English in higher education internationalization: Language ideologies on EMI programmes in China. In L. Alsagoff, N. H. Huijbregts, M. T. K. B. Ismail, & S. McKenzie (eds.), English-medium instruction and the internationalization of universities, 103–128. London: Palgrave Macmillan.10.1007/978-3-030-47860-5_5Search in Google Scholar
Wodak, Ruth & Barbara Busch. 2004. Approaches to media texts. The Sage handbook of media studies, 105–123. London, Thousand Oaks and Newielhi: Sage.10.4135/9781412976077.n6Search in Google Scholar
Wright, Sue & Lin Zheng. 2016. English in Chinese higher education: Past difficulties, current initiatives, and future challenges. Journal of World Languages 3(3). 167–183. https://doi.org/10.1080/21698252.2017.1292989.Search in Google Scholar
Zhang, Junyu. 2016. Language attitudes and identities in multilingual China: A linguistic ethnography. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism 19(4). 471–474. https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050.2015.1055934.Search in Google Scholar
Zhang, Xiao & Christiane Lütge. 2023. Home culture and its effects on English as a lingua franca communication: Voices from Chinese students at a United Kingdom university. Frontiers in Psychology 14. 1057315. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1057315.Search in Google Scholar
Zhang, Zhiguo 2018. English-medium instruction policies in China: Internationalisation of higher education. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development 39(6). 542–555, https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2017.1404070.Search in Google Scholar
Zheng, Xin-min & Chris Davison. 2008. Changing pedagogy: Analysing ELT teachers in China. London: Bloomsbury Publishing.10.5040/9781350091306Search in Google Scholar
© 2024 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Introduction to the special issue
- Research Articles
- Digital writing, recreated orality, and identity: domestication and exoticization of multilingual speech on Chinese social media
- Geographies of discourse revisited
- Multimodal creativity and identity in digital discourse: meme practices in China
- Mind maps as multimodal and multilingual literacy practices in Chinese private universities
- Dialogues of materiality: unravelling the agency of discourse and objects
- Visualizing identity: multimodal and multilingual practices in international student organizations’ on-campus artifacts
- Moin Moin is schon Gesabbel: constructing Northern German identity in commercial Instagram posts
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Introduction to the special issue
- Research Articles
- Digital writing, recreated orality, and identity: domestication and exoticization of multilingual speech on Chinese social media
- Geographies of discourse revisited
- Multimodal creativity and identity in digital discourse: meme practices in China
- Mind maps as multimodal and multilingual literacy practices in Chinese private universities
- Dialogues of materiality: unravelling the agency of discourse and objects
- Visualizing identity: multimodal and multilingual practices in international student organizations’ on-campus artifacts
- Moin Moin is schon Gesabbel: constructing Northern German identity in commercial Instagram posts