Learning English for specific purposes among members of the Shuar Musap Community

Abstract

Ecuadorian Amazonian communities play a leading role in calling foreigners to experience their beautiful landscapes and the uniqueness of their traditions; therefore, it is important for their inhabitants to be able to communicate with the English-speaking tourists who visit them. Through a mixed methods approach using questionnaires and interviews, the present study aimed to determine perceptions of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) learning within the framework of Andragogy principles among the Musap Shuar community. The findings of the study show favorable perceptions and high motivations regarding English language learning among adults in the community, making them ideal candidates for ESP learning within the framework of Andragogy. Implications for future research and implementation in other communities engaged in community-based tourism are included.