Evaluation of an English Language Program to identify the Elements of the Curriculum. A Case Study of a Public High School in Ecuador.

Abstract

Abstract: The evaluation of an educational curriculum on a permanent basis has an impact on the effectiveness of educational processes since these assessments guide the decision-making regarding the course of the curriculum assessed. That is why the importance of this research study, which aims to evaluate an English language program to identify the elements of the curriculum, seems not temporary but permanent. To achieve the objective, it was necessary to establish four research questions: what are students needs?, what are the teachers perceptions of the environmental factors that influence English language learning in a public high school?, what are the conditions that support the English teaching program? and, what are the principles, types of assessments, and tasks used for evaluation? The mixed research design was employed with the application of surveys and checklists as instruments. The participants were five teachers and ten learners who are members of a language program. The results revealed that the learners wants, needs, and lacks are being considered by teachers and that the institution supports the teachers practices; however, material issues and teachers rewards are lacking.