Conceptualising multilingual classrooms as a digital gamified translanguaging space

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Kevin W. H. Tai (Prof.)

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Nov 10, 2025, 1:56:11 PM (11 days ago) Nov 10

to 'Zhongfeng Tian' via Special Interest Group for Translanguaging and Inclusive Education

Dear Members of the SIG,

I would like to take this chance to share a paper that is authored by myself and my doctoral candidate, Ms. Karen Choi. In this paper, we theorise a multilingual classroom as a ‘digital gamified translanguaging space’. Such a notion aims to capture how digital games like Kahoot! can foster a playful classroom environment that enhances students’ motivation and alleviates the anxiety often associated with content and language learning.

The conceptualisation of a digital gamified translanguaging space represents a theoretical and pedagogical evolution, moving beyond the mere use of games or the incidental allowance of translanguaging. Instead, it theorises an engineered learning environment designed to address specific socio-affective and cognitive challenges. This innovative pedagogical approach synergizes the principles of translanguaging with the affordances of Digital game based learning (DGBL) to cultivate joyful, low-anxiety learning environments where students can freely experiment with both language and content.

You can download the paper for free:

https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2025.2580563

Reference:

Tai, K. W. H., and Choi, K. C. K. (2025). Conceptualising Multilingual Classrooms as a Digital Gamified Translanguaging Space: Fostering Language Learning Motivation and Reducing Foreign Language Anxiety in Content and Language Learning. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, Advance online publication.

Best wishes,

Kevin Tai

Professor Kevin W. H. Tai

PhD (UCL), FHEA, FRSA

Assistant Professor of Language and Literacy Education

Co-Director, Centre for Advancement in Inclusive and Special Education

Faculty of Education

The University of Hong Kong

Honorary Research Fellow, IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society, University College London

Editor, The Language Learning Journal (Routledge)

Associate Editor, International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism (Routledge)

Executive Guest Editor, International Journal of Applied Linguistics (Wiley)