Navigating Barriers and Opportunities: Pedagogical Insights from a Bilingual Colombian School

Abstract

This document presents the findings derived from a qualitative narrative study focusing on the experiences of a student with limited prior exposure to English as a second language, within the context of a private, international, bilingual educational institution located in Bogotá, Colombia. The study employed narrative frameworks, semi-structured interviews, and classroom observations as methodological tools to investigate the linguistic barriers encountered by the student upon integration into this bilingual learning environment. Through the analysis of the information, it was observed that the challenges faced by the student encompassed aspects related to academic performance as well as other elements linked to communication with peers and teachers that impacted their disposition, aligning with existing literature on the subject. These findings are consistent with existing literature on the topic. However, beyond the identification of these challenges, the study aimed to resignify them as opportunities for educators and students to develop strategies that foster the student's active engagement in their own learning process.