Design of a curricular proposal to develop speaking skills in Shuar students using relevant topics from the Ecuadorian student´s background
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Date
2025-09-24
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Publisher
Malagón, B. Universidad Bolivariana del Ecuador
Abstract
This research addressed the critical need to improve English speaking skills among Shuar students (A1 level) in a rural Ecuadorian context, at Unidad Educativa “Carmen Valdiviezo” in Zamora province. Students faced significant challenges, including poor pronunciation, inconsistent stress and intonation, limited vocabulary, and difficulty forming coherent sentences in English. Existing digital learning modules were inaccessible due to a lack of internet and devices in their rural community, creating a pressing need for a culturally relevant solution. In response, a curricular proposal was developed to integrate Shuar cultural content into English language instruction. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research combined pre- and post-tests, student surveys, classroom observations, and group interviews to assess the impact of a 12-lesson, taskbased speaking curriculum. These lessons incorporated themes from Shuar daily life and worldview to create a familiar and engaging learning environment. Through interactive activities such as conversations and role-plays, students practiced English in a meaningful and low-pressure context. Results showed a statistically significant improvement in students' speaking proficiency, with an overall increase of 410,71%. Key areas of progress included fluency, pronunciation, and language appropriateness. Student feedback was highly positive, indicating increased confidence and enjoyment in learning. The findings highlight the effectiveness of culturally responsive teaching strategies in promoting language acquisition in underserved communities. This research underscores the value of integrating indigenous cultural elements into second language instruction and recommends the broader adoption of such adaptable, inclusive curricular models. The study offers a practical and impactful approach to addressing educational inequalities in rural and marginalized settings.
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Keywords
SOCIAL SCIENCES::Social sciences::Education, HUMANITIES and RELIGION::Languages and linguistics::Other Germanic languages::English language
Citation
Calderón Bustos, Y. M. (2025). Design of a curricular proposal to develop speaking skills in Shuar students using relevant topics from the Ecuadorian student´s background. Universidad Bolivariana del Ecuador.