Introduction to

learning English

in Mexico.

The right to learn in English

• The right to education is the right to learn.

• Art. 3 of the Constitution: the State must

guarantee the “maximum achievement of

student learning.”• Fundamental learning is that

which allows us to keep

learning throughout life.

To change, we must first

understand

• English is not simpy a technical “tool”.

• Neither is it an imposition or a cultural threat.

Learning with and in English is part

of the right to learn:

It is learning for our time

and our world!

Access + Contribution

English provides access to a wealth

of ideas, processes and techniques,

as well as a legacy of humanistic and

political culture related to the defense

of human rights.

It also empowers us to make

demands, make ourselves heard

worldwide and participate in decisions

that affect us.

Why English?

It is the principal

lingua franca of our

time.With a lingua franca

we can

Think more

things

differently

and with more peopleMore than 2

billion

people in

138

countries

speak English.

4 of every 5

English

interactions in

the world take

place between

speakers for

whom English is

not their mother

The majority of

Internet content

and conversations

in social networks

are in English.

Why English?

It allows us to participate fully as

global citizens.

• The development of language

competence is central to our abilityto act in and with the world.

• Learning a second language

develops citizen competencies:

respect and tolerance for differences,

the ability to listen to others, express

oneself better, and resolve conflicts,

as well as knowledge of othercultures.

Why English?

It is a powerful mechanism for

equity.• It opens education and

employment opportunities for

those who come from families

with fewer resources.• It broadens acces to higher

education, both in and out of

Mexico.

Why English?

It brings great economic benefits, both

individually and collectively.

• It increases the probability of

finding a job with a decent salary

and opportunities for professionalgrowth.

• As a country, we have been

unable to advance in high-value-

added sectors because we do

not speak English.

Why English?

It has a positive effect on brain development.

1. It improves understanding,

memory, interpretation,

and cognitive flexibility.

2. It enriches learning in

other domains, including

mathematics.

3. It improves health and

prevents diseases like

Alzheimer’s.

4. It is one of the best

exercises for our brains.

Policy for learning English in

Mexico• The Constitution makes no specific reference to

interculturalism – neither as part of our national

identity nor as something the nation shouldaspire to – nor to second language learning.

1926English as a

“foreign

language” is

integrated into

the lower

secondary

school

curriculum.

1932The subject is

suspended.

1941English is

reintegrated into

the new lower

secondary

curriculum.

What about preschool

and primary education?

1992 |

2006 |

Pilot projects in: Coahuila, Morelos, Nuevo Leon,

Sonora y Tamaulipas.

Enciclomedia proposes a module directed at 6th

grade.

2009 | Creation and pilot of the National English

Program in Basic Education (PNIEB).

2011 | PNIEB compulsory.

• Agreement 592.

• Block of 10 years of English, from

preschool to 9th grade.

• 700 additional hours of English.

• Compulsory in all schools in basic

education.

2013 | PNIEB loses momentum as a national program and is

subsumed by the Program for Strengthening the Quality

of Basic Education.

Policy for learning English in

Mexico

• Education decisions in our country have

suffered from the intervention of political

considerations.1. Entire programs appear and

disappear.

2. High turnover and poor preparation

of officials.

3. Few civil society organizations

question official decisions.

4. Program evaluation comes late, and

we don’t have public information

needed for follow-up.

5. High probability that gaps between

the states will not be reduced giventhe mentality of “competitive funds.”

What we have and what is

missing

• Resources to learn English exist today

in Mexico as never before.

• Yet without an institutional home, it is

uncertain whether we will find the

coordination, monitoring, support

network, financing and access to

technology needed for our young

people to truly learn English in Mexico.

In conclusion

In Mexico English has been

taught

little, poorly and late.

Introduction to

learning English

in Mexico.