Introduction. This research work implemented andragogical strategies for English learning in teachers of the Educational Unit "El Oro" in Ambato. Objective. Promote the English language learning through the use effective andragogical strategies. Methodology. It was used quasi-experimental research; it was executed with 30 teachers (adults) from different areas who were motivated to learn and help each other to update their knowledge of English. We worked with two groups of the population under study. Both groups were made up of 15 teachers. The experimental group was treated with an intervention proposal containing andragogical strategies, such as discussion, analysis, project elaboration, simulation, demonstrations, and problem solving, which had a series of tasks with a communicative approach through the Zoom Platform due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the control group worked with online activities who had documents to fill grammar exercises. Both groups responded two tests: the first was taken before the intervention and the second or post-test after it. Results. The means of the two exams were compared in the pre-test and it was evidenced that the two groups of teachers had a low level of English. On the other hand, in the post-test, that is, after the intervention, the means of the two groups showed significant difference, since the experimental group experienced a considerable improvement. Conclusion. In this way, it was determined that the use of andragogic strategies helped teachers to improve their learning of the English language. Therefore, it is recommended to apply andragogic strategies for better teachers’ learning and thus, to improve their professional quality.

Introduction. Discourse connectors are linguistic elements which main aim is to join sentences and provide fluency to the text. Objective. The present study investigates the relationship between discourse connectors and the improvement of the writing competence in the students of third semester at Carrera de Pedagogy de los Idioms Nationals y Estrangers, October 2020 – February 2021 academic period. Methodology. The research was qualitative and quantitative, cross-sectional correlational type with an experimental design and a literary review of the variables. The population consisted of 30 students from Carrera de Pedagogy de los Idioms Nationals y Estrangers, 12 women and 18 men, they were between 20 and 24 years old. To collect the information, a survey with 23 questions was elaborated which was validated by two experts in the writing field. They rated validity, relevance and coherence.  The results from the survey allowed to establish the strategies and activities to teach the discourse connectors. Participants were also given an independent writing pre-test taken from the University of Cambridge and assessed with a rubric provided by the same university. Then, with the information obtained, a didactic guide was developed and the students had the opportunity to learn and practice the discourse connectors for two months. Finally, a post-test from the same university was applied to measure the relationship of discourse connectors and the improvement of writing competence. Results. With the help of the statistics the pre and post writing test were compared. The study showed that students use the correct punctuation and spelling and choose the correct DCs. Moreover, they choose the correct place of DCs within the sentence. Furthermore, their paragraphs contain topic sentences with controlling idea, supporting ideas and conclusions. Consequently, they improve their writing competence.

El presente estudio se enfoca en comprender la problemática que tienen los estudiantes para desarrollar sus habilidades del habla y escucha del idioma Inglés, considerando que la adquisición de un nuevo idioma es un proceso de gran complejidad que requiere mayor atención y cuidado por parte de los docentes. El propósito del estudio fue analizar el fortalecimiento de las habilidades “hablar y escuchar” con los estudiantes de una Unidad educativa privada de la región central del Ecuador. Se utilizó el examen Cambridge KET (Key English Test) para estudiantes de educación básica superior, participaron estudiantes de octavo, noveno y décimo año. Los resultados demuestran que el proceso de intervención pedagógica fue poco significativo debido a las particularidades propias de la pandemia que alteró radicalmente los ambientes de aprendizaje y procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje. Se concluye que el interés por aprender una segunda lengua sigue siendo una actividad de poca importancia para los estudiantes y que tiene fuertes limitaciones pedagógicas para su aplicación por parte del docente.

Introduction. Discourse connectors are linguistic elements which main aim is to join sentences and provide fluency to the text. Objective. The present study investigates the relationship between discourse connectors and the improvement of the writing competence in the students of third semester at Carrera de Pedagogy de los Idioms Nationals y Estrangers, October 2020 – February 2021 academic period. Methodology. The research was qualitative and quantitative, cross-sectional correlational type with an experimental design and a literary review of the variables. The population consisted of 30 students from Carrera de Pedagogy de los Idioms Nationals y Estrangers, 12 women and 18 men, they were between 20 and 24 years old. To collect the information, a survey with 23 questions was elaborated which was validated by two experts in the writing field. They rated validity, relevance and coherence.  The results from the survey allowed to establish the strategies and activities to teach the discourse connectors. Participants were also given an independent writing pre-test taken from the University of Cambridge and assessed with a rubric provided by the same university. Then, with the information obtained, a didactic guide was developed and the students had the opportunity to learn and practice the discourse connectors for two months. Finally, a post-test from the same university was applied to measure the relationship of discourse connectors and the improvement of writing competence. Results. With the help of the statistics the pre and post writing test were compared. The study showed that students use the correct punctuation and spelling and choose the correct DCs. Moreover, they choose the correct place of DCs within the sentence. Furthermore, their paragraphs contain topic sentences with controlling idea, supporting ideas and conclusions. Consequently, they improve their writing competence.

Introducción. Los saberes ancestrales permiten vivir e inmortalizar las costumbres, usos y tradiciones que han dejado los ancestros a través del tiempo en las comunidades del Ecuador, el etnoconocimiento ancestral de la comunidad Shuar ubicada en la provincia de Pastaza, al noreste de la región amazónica es muy rica y variada. Metodología. La recolección de datos se realizó a través de talleres participativos, encuestas y expediciones en el área de estudio. Objetivo. La finalidad fue colectar especies vegetales e identificarlas In Situ, siempre acompañados de pobladores locales considerados con experiencia y conocimiento de su territorio. Resultados. Se registraron un total de 10 especies de flora que son parte de las tradiciones y cultura de la comunidad, de las cuales se concluye que la ayahuasca seguido de la uña de gato son las especies representativas y que el bosque es la principal fuente de alimentos, insumos médicos, rituales, música, artesanía, construcción, celebraciones, etc. Conclusiones. La importancia de la arquitectura turística, radica en el diseño de casas ancestrales turísticas comunitarias con bajo impacto ambiental gracias al uso de materia prima extraída de las plantas locales para su construcción, ha permitido disponer de espacios adecuados para realizar demostraciones del conocimiento etnobotánico donde se pone en marcha la conexión intercultural entre el chamán que posee la herencia ancestral con  su medio físico - natural y cultural - religioso - espiritual, permitiendo al turista eliminar elementos causantes del mal que padece, conocimientos etnobotánicos de la comunidad shuar que tienen gran aceptación por los turistas nacionales y extranjeros.