2025 MABE Dual Language Bilingual Education Conference

In recent years, many dual language programs have seen confusion among teachers regarding the concept of translanguaging, which has led to the interpretation of translanguaging as providing instruction through concurrent translation. This workshop uses the Spanish phrase “Te quiero o no te quiero” (I love you or I don't love you), to analyze the tensions between embracing translanguaging in the classroom while maintaining language boundaries. Just as the phrase captures a complicated relationship, educators must navigate beyond the either/or interpretation (te quiero o no te quiero) of translanguaging and language separation and move towards a balanced approach (te quiero o te necesito). In this workshop participants will leave with a nuanced understanding of how translanguaging (te quiero) and language separation (y te necesito) can work together as well as practical strategies to balance these approaches in their classrooms that they can implement immediately.