In the face of globalization, information communication technologies (ICTs) play a paramount role in the teachingand learning of foreign languages. This action-research was conducted with a group of sophomore students enrolledin the course Composition at Universidad Nacional, Coto Campus. The study required the administration of twosurveys prior to and after the implementation of Google Classroom (GC) as an educational platform to assist studentsduring their learning process of the course. The research was aimed at revealing the students’ use ICTs to practicetheir writing skill outside the classroom and analyzing the impact of GC in the development of the students writingskill out of the school environment. The findings exposed that the use of this platform brings about benefits thatallow students and teachers ease the teaching and learning of writing. Students also expressed that they practice theirwriting mainly for both academic and non-academic purposes in an engaging attractive space; lastly, students andresearchers pointed out that the experience using GC was more satisfactory than other platforms.

​​​Para este estudio de caso el objeto de estudio fueron las necesidades de formación docente que tiene la Región Brunca con respecto a la enseñanza del inglés. Para indagar sobre estas necesidades se llevó a cabo una serie de grupos focales y cuestionarios con diferentes participantes del currículo regional: personas expertas, representantes de universidades públicas, empleadoras, docentes y estudiantes, quienes brindaron insumos para un análisis inductivo a través del enfoque cualitativo. Los resultados reflejan que la enseñanza del inglés en la región requiere fomentar la incorporación de elementos de la lingüística aplicada crítica (LAC), las Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación (TIC), y la enseñanza del inglés con fines específicos en las aulas (EFS). Se concluye que un programa de especialización en la enseñanza del inglés, que tome en cuenta los elementos mencionados, puede repercutir positivamente en la calidad de la educación, la competitividad y la formación humanística requerida para generar mayores niveles de bienestar social y económico en la zona.

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This case study analyzes the role of English in the Costa Rican economy and curriculum. It is grounded on a second language acquisition and learning framework related to socio-cultural and socio-cognitive theories, identity and agency, and motivation. The stakeholders that took part in the study were students, instructors, parents, employers, and heads of English teaching programs at the national level. The conclusions highlight the importance of the English language for the economic system. Also, identity and agency appear to be crucial factors to understand language learning as a complex process.