Physical activity and motivation for learning English as a foreign language in young children in Ecuador (Actividad física y motivación al aprendizaje del inglés como lengua extranjera en niños pequeños de Ecuador)

Abstract

The exploration of English as a foreign language (EFL) instruction in public elementary schools in Ecuador shows the necessity of improving teaching and learning methodologies, where instructors have limited experience working with young children. This study set out to investigate the usefulness of dancing and singing to increase young children's motivation for learning EFL vocabulary. This work used the paradigm post-modern and mixed research approach. The participants were 75 people, sixty-five students, and ten instructors from 3 elementary public schools located in the province of Manabí, Ecuador. They took part in an educational intervention that combined the national curriculum for English as a Foreign Language subject and the Total Physical Response methodology during 2019-2021. Data for this study were collected using semi-structured interviews, direct observation, and the assessment vocabulary learning rubric of Windi (2017). The results offer some important insights into meaningful learning when students had physical movement in their classes. There were significant differences between pretest and post-test in motivation for learning and vocabulary acquisition when instructors expose learners to dancing and singing supported with lyric videos in the English language. This investigation results show that dancing as part of Total Physical Response activities could contribute positively to the participants' motivation for learning new vocabulary. However, it persists in the parent's and schools’ administrators the preconception that traditional methodologies allow keeping the class control.
 Resumen: La exploración de la enseñanza del inglés como lengua extranjera (EFL) en las escuelas primarias públicas de Ecuador muestra la necesidad de mejorar las metodologías de enseñanza y aprendizaje, donde los instructores tienen una experiencia limitada trabajando con niños pequeños. Este estudio se propuso investigar la utilidad de bailar y cantar para aumentar la motivación de los niños pequeños para aprender vocabulario de EFL. Este trabajo utilizó el paradigma posmoderno y el enfoque mixto de investigación. Participaron 75 personas, sesenta y cinco estudiantes y diez docentes de 3 escuelas primarias públicas ubicadas en la provincia de Manabí, Ecuador. Participaron en una intervención educativa que combinó el currículo nacional de la asignatura de Inglés como Lengua Extranjera y la metodología Total Physical Response durante 2019-2021. Los datos para este estudio se recopilaron mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas, observación directa y la rúbrica de aprendizaje de vocabulario de evaluación de Windi (2017). Los resultados ofrecen algunas ideas importantes sobre el aprendizaje significativo cuando los estudiantes tenían movimiento físico en sus clases. Hubo diferencias significativas entre la prueba previa y la prueba posterior en la motivación para el aprendizaje y la adquisición de vocabulario cuando los instructores exponen a los alumnos a bailar y cantar con el apoyo de videos con letras en inglés. Los resultados de esta investigación muestran que bailar como parte de las actividades de Respuesta Física Total podría contribuir positivamente a la motivación de los participantes para aprender nuevo vocabulario. Sin embargo, persiste en los administradores de las escuelas y padres de familia la idea preconcebida de que las metodologías tradicionales permiten mantener el control de la clase.

The Impact of Service Learning on Academic, Professional and Physical Wellbeing Competences of EFL Teacher Education Students

“…In their testimonies, the play-based methodology presented a relevant role as university students became aware of the numerous opportunities offered by this methodology for teaching a foreign language [ 42 ]. Through the use of movement games and physical activity, a better, stress-free climate is created, which improves motivation [ 2 , 43 ], and it helps minor migrants with a low level of proficiency not to feel frustrated due to their lack of understanding of the language [ 44 ].…”

Ergospirometry & body percussion. Case study based on BAPNE FIT method

“…The performance of physical activity and sports has studies that demonstrate very positive aspects for the human being (Aguilar-Herrero et al, 2021;Martínez-Heredia et al, 2021;Pacheco et al, 2022;Padial-Ruz et al, 2022;Palma et al, 2021;Pérez et al, 2022;Romero-Ramos et al, 2021;Zambrano-Pintado et al, 2022). In the same way, there are also studies that show that when statistical data are correlated, the contribution is greater and, above all, they provide new lines to be improved (Luis-de Cos et al, 2019;Mezcua-Hidalgo et al, 2020;Villa de Gregorio et al, 2019).…”

Traditional dances in Spain. Bibliometric study based on high impact search engines

“…Movement and motor coordination has many benefits for the human being that demonstrate its positive aspects. (Aguilar et al, 2021;Álvarez-Ibáñez & Fernández-Hawrylak, 2022;Burbano et al, 2021;Luis-de Cos et al, 2019;Martínez-Heredia et al, 2021;Pacheco-Delgado et al, 2022;Padial-Ruz et al, 2022;Palma-Marifil, et al, 2021).…”