Digital Storytelling as Translanguaging

Book excerpt: This innovative, accessible book is an introduction to using digital storytelling in language teaching, with a focus on English as an Additional Language (EAL) instruction. Linville and Vinogradova provide a clear framework that addresses translanguaging and multimodal meaning making in teaching multilingual learners (MLs) through use of digital storytelling. This book provides detailed guidance on how to incorporate digital storytelling into language teaching, building on recent developments in the fields of TESOL and language education that position multilingualism and multiliteracies as important components of any language instruction. Through this text and accompanying activities, readers will understand how to work with MLs to create multimodal digital texts. This book offers an easy-to-follow, step-by-step process for language educators to follow to support MLs’ digital storytelling projects in any EAL classroom. Featured digital storytelling projects from EAL practitioners in various contexts, as well as multiple examples and resources, are included for each stage of the process, always grounded in contemporary TESOL theories (e.g., critical pedagogy, culturally responsive teaching, translanguaging, and a pedagogy of multiliteracies). This framework supports the development of multilingualism and multiliteracies and can be adapted by educators of other world languages for any language education setting. Grounded in contemporary TESOL theories, this book is an essential text for courses on technology in TESOL and TESOL methods courses, as well as for language educators.