Evolutionary language learning

Abstract

This essay discusses the development of a language learning program for the local community on the island of San Cristóbal in the Galapagos Islands. Second and third language skills are very important to residents of the Galapagos due to the islands’ dependency on the tourism sector. In pursuit of UN Sustainable Development Goal Four, Quality Education, the Department of Foreign Languages has implemented formal English and French as a Foreign Language education programs for children, adolescents and adults on San Cristóbal. USFQ’s Language Department in the Galapagos is small, but has used bespoke course design based around communicative functions to meet the needs of different groups within the local community.