Contra-hegemonic language teaching in Colombia: Embracing translanguaging and the ecology of languages reflections

Main Article Content

Johanna Patricia Lopez Úrbina
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1293-8042
Martha Isabel Bonilla Mora

Abstract

Abstract


This educational reflective article presents the principles of the ecology of the language, the ecology of learning, and translingualism as a decolonial pedagogy to teach and learn languages. The reflection means to promote the inclusion and recognition of native languages and culture within language teaching and learning processes, both in classrooms and in multilingual contexts permeated by foreign and native languages. The article arose from research conducted under a qualitative approach, of a hermeneutic documentary, in which the analysis of open-type data and the results insisted on a different pedagogy from that proposed by the translingualism. The article concluded with the description of a significant experience redesigning the syllabus of the subject Pedagogy and Language Teaching at the bachelor’s degree programs in a private university in Colombia. Authors expect that the ideas presented in this article give meaning to the design and creation of guidelines and policies that determine a decolonial and meaningful way of teaching languages.

Article Details

How to Cite
Lopez Urbina, J. P., & Bonilla Mora, M. I. (2026). Contra-hegemonic language teaching in Colombia: Embracing translanguaging and the ecology of languages reflections. HOW, 33(1), 23–42. https://doi.org/10.19183/how.33.1.795
Section
Reflective Articles
Author Biographies

Johanna Patricia Lopez Úrbina, Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia- UNAD, Colombia

Johanna Patricia Lopez Urbina is a teacher in the B. Ed. Program in English as a foreign language at Universidad Santo Tomás. She holds a B.A. in Philology and Languages and a Master’s degree in Education. She has worked with teachers and pre-service teachers in rural and urban areas.

Martha Isabel Bonilla Mora, Universidad Santo Tomás, Colombia

Martha Isabel Bonilla Mora is an EFL teacher and researcher at Licenciatura en Lengua Extranjera Inglés at Universidad Santo Tomás Colombia. She holds a master’s degree in education from Universidad Pedagógica Nacional. Her research works mainly core on the narratives about the English teaching and learning contexts in Colombia.

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