Reactions to English Language Learning in Chile as a Means for Personal and National Development

<p>In our globalized world today, English has developed into the worldwide</p> <p>language. Chilean leaders, in connection to their development goals to reach a developed</p> <p>country status by 2020, have highlighted the need for Chilean citizens to become</p> <p>bilingual in order to attract foreign investment and further integrate into the world</p> <p>market. Leaders also highlight how English education will serve as an equalizing</p> <p>measure to combat the socioeconomic inequality that has plagued this country since</p> <p>Spanish colonization. While the economic benefits are clear, questions remain as to what</p> <p>the social and cultural costs will be. This research project presents how a group of</p> <p>Chilean students feels in regards to their leader’s goal of creating a bilingual citizenry: do</p> <p>they see English proficiency as advantageous or a threat to Chilean cultural individuality.</p> <p>This thesis answers the questions: (a) do Chilean students agree with the government that</p> <p>becoming bilingual will raise Chile to a developed country? (b) do they think that they</p> <p>will personally benefit from learning English and (c) what changes do they deem</p> <p>necessary if English education programs are to continue in Chile?</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts in International Studies

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

International Studies

Year dc:date.available

2013

Author dc:creator

• Byrd, Kortnee

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Emma Fuentes

• Chile
• bilingual education
• English education
• development
• Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education

Repository record dc:identifier

https://repository.usfca.edu/thes/57

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.usfca.edu:thes-1065