Ecology of knowledge as a possibility to create a transformative way of teaching and learning foreign languages in Colombia

Abstract

The topic, into the second phase research, highlighted the necessity of a new conception of teaching and learning languages, bilingualism, and inclusive policies that recognize the particularities of our diverse Colombian context under the paradigm of the ecology of knowledge. The authors will guide the study towards a counter-hegemonic epistemology and ontology of the teaching and learning of foreign languages ​​in our country, as part of an inclusive conception of a transformative, modern, emancipatory education proposal, where the research question is: How do the ecology of knowledge, the ecology of learning and the ecology of languages ​​allow a deep reflection towards a fresh policy proposal to teach and learn languages ​​in Colombia?

The main objective of this qualitative research intends to reflect and to propose a first attempt towards a Colombian Ecology of languages ​​teaching and learning. To develop meaningful possibilities of comprehending the process of teaching and learning foreign languages ​​in a multicultural context under the premises that an ecology of language could involve. Specific objectives comprehend: 1. To revisit data collection in the first phase research and define new emergent categories; 2. To understand and reflect on the theories about the ecology of knowledge, the ecology of learning & transformative learning knowledge and the ecology of languages ​​and language policy; 3. To design an ecology of language policy to transform learning knowledge based syllabus for a Language master program. To propose an ecology of learning & transformative learning knowledge base learning strategy, to be developed in the subject of Pedagogy and Language Teaching in the sixth semester established in the curriculum at Licenciatura en Lenguas Extranjeras Inglés- DUAD- Universidad Santo Tomás. Talking about the results, these can contribute to research field at Licenciatura en Lenguas Extranjeras Inglés at DUAD and to the Research in Education group, specifically in the research field of education, culture and society. However, and due to the nature of this methodology and considering the ending and closure of the Plan Nacional de Bilingüismo program in the year 2019, the findings of this project can be the starting point of lengthy discussions and debates towards a new national linguistic policy.