The Legend of La Llorona as a teaching resource for critical thinking and meaningful cultural learning among university students

The dynamism of the digital society increasingly requires university teachers to manage, apply, or adapt teaching resources for the comprehensive academic training of future professionals, without discarding traditional pedagogical tools that prove useful. Legends, as a form of oral literature, can be used to explain certain doubts or social behaviors within the community. As a teaching resource, university professors can develop critical thinking skills that enable students to analyze, evaluate, and compare aspects that affect their personal, academic, and professional lives. In this way, meaningful cultural learning is achieved that describes the behavior, values, traditions, or cultural beliefs of society. "La Llorona," a legend that has survived since 1521, has spread remarkably; it is best known in Mexico and the towns of Los Altos, Jalisco. The characteristics of this literary genre, as a teaching resource, promote enjoyable interaction in the classroom. It motivates students to develop oral and written expression skills while encouraging their creativity. It enriches their cultural heritage because they can identify and value their own roots. The versatility and richness of this resource lies in the plurality of stories derived from its oral transmission, which enhances the educational experience. This work proposes the use of “La Llorona" as a teaching tool for training university students to be analytical, critical, and empathetic to their cultural environment, thus contributing to the comprehensive academic training of competent, responsible, and empathetic professionals in an increasingly globalized world.