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