Cognitive Academic Translanguaging: A Pedagogical Tool in Attaining Climate Literacy through Modular Instruction

Abstract

Embedding the concept of translanguaging to deliver climate change education or climate literacy is a step to build up awareness and longer-term actions to enhance environmental quality. In partnership with Children Optimization for the Revitalization of Environment (CORE), an organization in Bacolod City whose aim is to inculcate values of environmental stewardship through education, this qualitative study elaborated on the use of cognitive academic translanguaging as an instructional tool in attaining climate literacy through self-learning modules. Multimodal Discourse Analysis (MDA) was used to dissect selected CORE climate-literacy modules to determine the translanguaging, textual, and non-textual features and the pedagogical implications of these linguistic features to craft an enhanced version of the instructional material for the Junior High School students. Using a purposive sampling technique, a one-on-one interview with eight CORE Ecological Saturdays (ECOSATS) program graduates took place to collect data about their experiences to supplement the findings of the module dissection process. The study results revealed that embedded language is preferred compared to matrix language as students are more guided by their first language (Hiligaynon). Also, self-learning modules are more effective if they use the pupil-directed type of translanguaging so students can accomplish the tasks and activities in the module with little to no help or guidance from the more knowledgeable others. Furthermore, using non-textual features such as colors and italics elevates students’ learning experience and makes self-learning active and engaging. Results also suggested that to align all linguistic aspects of the module better, consistency in the use of the textual and non-textual features must be appropriately applied in crafting the module, as the findings of the study at once fueled the need for immediate action towards climate change education.