Proceedings of the 7th World Conference on Research in Teaching and Education
Year: 2024
DOI:
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Culture Matters: EFL Materials for Elementary Rural Learners
Delis Soto Falon, Danilza Lorduy Arellano
ABSTRACT:
Designing of English Language Teaching (ELT) materials for pedagogical purposes has always kept a main role in Language learning. In Colombia during the implementation of the “National Bilingualism Program” (2007-2025), different instructional materials have been published with the purpose of improving English language levels by the end of Secondary. Elementary Virtual materials in platforms like “Eco” and “Bunny Bonita” and printed textbooks such as “Way to go” and “English Please” for secondary. These resources were created with global parameters for teaching in regional contexts: “their authenticity and cultural content are not appropriate within the national context” (Patarroyo, 2016:87), This study aimed at exploring the characteristics and learning needs from rural learners that should be included in EFL materials for elementary students in rural areas of Cordoba- Colombia, considering their cultural, geographical, socioeconomic diversity and the differences between rural and urban education. This qualitative study applied a needs analysis with questionnaires to students from 5Th grade and interviews to schools ‘teachers and administrators of 5 different rural schools. Documentary data was also analyzed: Official “Suggested Curriculum” (2016), ECO and Bunny Bonita materials. Results revealed that features of vocabulary and grammar should be according to students’ academic level, age, and cultural needs, enabling them to use the language both at school and at home, facilitating learning and enhancing students’ sense of belonging, integrating local culture into material’s content which seems to be relevant for their communities and lives as a way to use English as a means to showcase their own culture.
keywords: EFL Materials; Rural education, Rural Learners; Culture; diversity