Current Status of ELT, AnOverview of Two Countries

Presented by Ana Sylvia Ramirez

Current Status

Over the past years, the field of language

teaching and learning has experienced fast-

coming changes as a result of increase in the

demand to use the language for work and

academic purposes. Related fields have been

affected as a result in the cases of Guatemala

and El Salvador.

ELT in Public Education

• English language education is not a component of elementary level schoolcurriculum.

• Government funding for English languageeducation has been limited and focused ondeveloping teachers.

• Existing efforts in public schools have beengreately prompted through joint effortsamong private organizations.

English in the Job Market

English as a SupplementalWorking Tool

• Professional (Business and Finance)

• Industrial (GoodsImport)

• Tourism

English as a PrimaryWorking Tool

• Teaching relatedareas (Schools and languageacademies)

• Contact centers

English as a Peripheral Working

Tool

• Clerical Jobs

• Vocational Jobs

Factors Affecting ELT in Academics

• An increase in study exchanges with countriesother than the US

• A rise in the availability of on-line courses and programs in different universities in thecountry

• A greater degree of English speaking teachingstaff exchange

• A surge in scholarship opportunities forgraduate level programs

Results in ELT

• A greater demand for programs which workacademic writing and reading

• An increase in needed standardized test takingtraining

• A demand for English language instruction in combination with other academic areas

• Greater awareness of the importance of cross-cultural instruction in combination withlanguage training

Predictions for the Future

• A continued dependence on privateorganizations supporting public Englisheducation

• An increased demand of on-site corporateEnglish programs

• Greater competition for English speakingpersonnel (affecting wages and benefits)

• A market surge for on-line English learningalternatives

• Greater opportunities for test preparation and culture awareness programs

• An increase in English proficiencycertifications

• A rise in student segments searching forwriting and reading preparation