The Characteristic of Postmodernism - Fragmentation and its Impact on the Process of English Language Learning: A Case Study

Abstract

The teaching of a second language, especially English, seems to be on the raise given the importance of today´s globalized world. This article, an empirical study, was carried out through a survey with close-ended questions and text development, applied to two Chilean schools. The aim of the investigation was to recognize the fragmentation that occurs in the learners' process of acquiring English language, by measuring the use of words and integration of vocabulary, writing and the use of idioms. Theoretically it is assumed that postmodernism is a reality in today´s society, with its characteristics of individualism, fragmentation and atomization of knowledge. The results showed that among those surveyed, there is a lack of developed and applied vocabulary, as well as deficiencies in the idiomatic development, as a result of the atomization and fragmentation of knowledge.