SITUATING OURSELVES

Teaching English in Ecuador is challenging especially in public education because students are not immerse in an English speaking environment. As teachers, we need to analyze the background in which learners are involved and the aspects of english language that are useful for them.
The first aspect to consider in public education is the learners background. When back to Ecuador, teachers who are enrolled in the Intensive English Program, will be working at public schools. The schools will probably be in an urban area. Generally, this type of schools enroll fourty to fifty students per class approximately. Moreover, there exists other factors that interrupts their learning process in general: dysfunctional families, work and study at the same time, the lack of dedication, limited class schedule, and others.
Second, the circumstance that learning English is a process that can not be achieved completely during classroom schedules. Thus, it is necessary that teachers focus on the most useful topics that help learners communicate. Depending on the students level, the skills to develop must be emphazised to help them acquire language skills. Since one of the new requirements for students at third senior high school is to take an exam on English language accuracy so to be enrolled at university, third levels require to focus on reading skills.
At present time, Ecuador is passing through a period of changes and educators should be committed with the mission of teaching. In short, professors construct the future for learners according to their needs and conditions.

Written by: Elena Niola