Is pedagogical translanguaging a panacea to the colonial monoglossic language ideology in the classroom? Focus on higher education in Lesotho

Translanguaging is an approach to language aimed at promoting diversity and plurality of languages in the classroom. In this approach, students are taught in two or more languages, and literature suggests that they tend to participate more in the classroom when concepts are explained in their mother tongue. However, higher learning institutions in most countries, including Lesotho, still practise a colonial monoglossic language approach in the classroom wherein native languages are not included as languages of instruction alongside colonial languages. Therefore, I believe that pedagogical translanguaging can serve as a useful strategy to curb the hegemony of colonial monoglossic ideologies that prohibit the use of African languages in the classroom. This study adopted a qualitative approach confined within a case study design. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with three lecturers and focus group discussions with 60 students. Findings reveal that pedagogical translanguaging is an effective approach because it can promote social justice and plurality of languages in the classroom. The study thus recommends that minority African languages be included as languages of instruction as well, alongside the English language.