Pedagogies of Harmony: Duoethnographic Practices of e-LOVE in Transformative English Language Education: Duoethnographic Practices of e-LOVE in Transformative English Language Education

Quanisha Charles; Manar  Abdullah

Authors

Dr. Quanisha Charles North Central College https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5875-2924
Manar Abdullah North Central College

Keywords:

duoethnography, elevated-LOVE, pedagogies of harmony , relational equity

Abstract

Drawing from the L.O.V.E. framework of Charles (2024), we actualize notions of love (Barcelos, 2022; Lanas & Zembylas, 2015; Pacheco & Hamilton, 2020) through duoethnography. Duoethnography (Norris, 2012), a dialogic research method that examines lived experiences through collaborative narratives, is employed to capture the relational dynamics between a teacher and student in English language education. Scholarship on relational equity (DiGiacomo & Gutiérrez, 2015; Ruef & Shepard, 2022) and inclusive pedagogies (Leung, 2021; Zembylas, 2015) reinforces the transformative potential of harmony-centered approaches in fostering healing and multilingual leadership (Charles et al., 2025). At its core, this inquiry underpins pedagogies of harmony (Yui 2024; Ho, 2017), which prioritize interconnectedness, cultural reciprocity, and the co-construction of learning environments where individual agency is balanced with collective well-being. By situating duoethnography within pedagogies of harmony, this article demonstrates its power to illuminate and enact relational, love-centered frameworks for equitable co-learning. Expanding on Charles’ (2024) L.O.V.E. framework, we practice elevated-LOVE (Liberation, Openness, Vulnerability, and Equity) via reflective dialogue. Practiced as e-LOVE, this pedagogy employs relational harmony, shared agency, and reciprocal vulnerability to amplify and nurture a learning environment rooted in equity and care.

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Author Biographies

Dr. Quanisha Charles, North Central College

Quanisha Charles is an Associate Professor of English, teaching first-year writing seminars and linguistic courses at North Central College in Naperville, IL. She has more than 15 years of experience teaching EFL, ESL, and Composition Studies collectively in the US, South Korea, China, Vietnam, and virtually in Lebanon. Her research interests include critical digital theory, racialized ideologies, intercultural communication, and teacher identity in English language education. Her publications can be found in the TESOL Journal, International Journal of Language Arts and Linguistics, and the Journal of English Language Teaching and Linguistics.
Manar Abdullah, North Central College

Born and raised in Iraq, Manar Abdullah is a dean’s listed Mechanical Engineering Junior at North Central College. Manar, who is fluent in both English and Arabic, chairs the student STAR (Science and Technology Academic Reformer Association) and serves as a Cardinal First Ambassador.

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