Learning English in
Peruvian Public Schools
What
do YOU think?
By Carmen Hurtado
What would it be if
everything you have learned about teaching turns out worthless today? What if,
all of a sudden, you are requested to work more hours to achieve certain
overnight -goals? Would you be ready to carry out the load upon your shoulder,
or would you just ‘follow the sheep’?
As teachers and
professionals in this field, we have the thoughtful vow to lead our students
and strive for the better in our career. Moreover, as teachers of English
as a Foreign Language, we have enjoyed looking after our students’ learning
process in and out. It is quite fulfilling to observe how they gradually
develop their skills. It is time then, to share our thoughts with
everyone who is linked with the idea of succeeding in a competitive world; it
is time now to discuss what is happening in the field of education in our
country. How has this issue being managed, assumed, or treated in the curricula
and educational programs along these years? Are we actually aware of the
consequences of bursting up the number of pedagogical hours in a native Spanish
speaking class, and at the same time supplying the training to non-native
speakers, hiring instructors, and supplying expensive trainings? On the other
hand, has it been reflected as any other common issue that our authorities
could think of, lay on a written project and carried it out once it was time to
start it off?
As professionals,
it is necessary to let authorities know that this is not a matter of statistics
or setting ambitious goals for third parties, but something to be taken
seriously if we really want to achieve tangible results in the near future:
speaking English as a Foreign Language.
Above all, this
situation urges planning and decision-making based on facts - not ‘walking on
water’.
The truth is, times
have changed and the world expects professionals who can be ready, who can be
part of a team, and communicate with them without any barrier in terms of
language. Let’s keep growing together towards the achievement of
appropriate EFL-learning in our country.
Let´s share some
ideas. What do YOU think? How
important is learning English for the development of our country? Do you think
we are on the right track? What is missing? How is the teaching of English
being developed in your workplace?
Reference:
Biodata
Carmen Hurtado, graduated in the Educational
Field; holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science of Education, and the title of
Licenciada en Educación by ‘Universidad Nacional de Educación’. She has also
finished her master’s studies in Teaching English as a Foreign Language at
Universidad de Piura, and taken some specializations in the EFL and Spanish
field. She has worked teaching English and Spanish at prestigious schools,
institutes and universities for over 20 years. She currently works teaching
online and blended courses at university. Her expertise, dedication and
interest to research in the educational field have taken her to participate as
a lecturer in the late six Annual Congresses at CIDUP. She works as a
pedagogical specialist and a member of the Research Area at Universidad del
Pacifico Language Center.
