This article examines students’ perceptions of ethics and ethical training in research on second language acquisition. The role of ethics in applied linguistics and research has received little attention, despite its relevance. This study, which was conducted from May to June 2022, involved 26 TESOL students enrolled in a Licenciatura program at a Costa Rican public university. It used a quantitative, direct needs assessment design. The researcher collected data through a survey designed to elicit students’ opinions on this issue. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Data analyses indicate that: 1) students tend to reject unethical behaviors in research (68.75%); 2) some behaviors seem more permissible than others; 3) students consider ethics an essential component of research (x̅ = 4.6, SD = 0.57, Mod = 5); and 4) the Licenciatura program does not incorporate a systematic approach to ethical training in SLA research (X̄ = 9.33; SD = 8.08. Consistent with the reviewed literature, these findings demonstrate the lack of ethical training in language teaching programs and second language research. Furthermore, the analysis suggests that direct instruction may broaden students’ understanding of ethical issues when conducting research. Finally, these findings suggest that students would greatly benefit from a more structured curriculum that considers the ethical component of research.

This article examines students’ perceptions of dictionary use and training in English as a Foreign Language (EFL). The needs of English as a foreign language students in terms of specific dictionary types have received little attention. This research was conducted with 48 English as a foreign language students at a public university in Costa Rica over a year. The researcher used a survey (Appendix 1) to collect students’ opinions about the role of the dictionary in their major. Data indicates that: 1) not all dictionary types are known and used by students, 2) students favor the electronic dictionary over the paper dictionary, and 3) dictionary instruction is weak despite its perceived importance by learners. These conclusions are consistent with the literature surveyed. Furthermore, students’ opinions suggest that dictionary instruction and exposure have not been adequately approached in the language educational program. These results should advance new educational policies that promote the systematic and progressive inclusion of dictionary instruction across the study plan.

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This article presents students’ perception of English accent varieties in a BA in English and a BA in English Teaching. The purpose of this study was to find out higher education students’ opinions on the incorporation of further English accents in their major. Until now, this topic has not been deeply studied in the Costa Rican context.  Results were obtained from a 16-point survey answered by 77 participants. Based on these results, the writer explains that a need to include a variety of native and non-native English accents exists and that a language program would benefit from it. The results demonstrate that 76.6% of students consider being able to imitate several types of English accents important, while 93.5% believe that what is important is being able to recognize and understand several accents. Data show that the majority of students consider the incorporation of various types of accents in their major essential. In practical terms, these results should promote a curricular change where several types of English accents should be incorporated.

Este artículo pretende diagnosticar las condiciones institucionales, docentes, estudiantiles y de plan de estudios para analizar la posibilidad de ofertar un curso de la malla curricular en el idioma inglés ubicado en los planes de las carreras de las Facultades de Ingeniería y Artes en la Sede Rodrigo Facio de la ucr. La investigación, completada durante el segundo semestre del 2016, se ha llevado a cabo dada la necesidad de mejorar la formación profesional con destrezas avanzadas en un segundo idioma (inglés) a estudiantes de educación superior. Se sigue un método cuantitativo en el cual se emplea la encuesta electrónica y la entrevista como las principales técnicas para recolectar la información. Los datos demuestran que el 66% de los directores de las diferentes escuelas ha considerado ofertar un curso de su carrera en inglés mientras que el 94% de los estudiantes estaría dispuesto a matricular un curso de su carrera en inglés. En cuanto a los docentes, más del 60% tiene la capacidad y está anuente a ofrecer cursos de su especialidad en inglés. El estudio concluye que, en su mayoría, tanto directores como estudiantes y docentes apoyarían un cambio curricular de esta naturaleza. Asimismo, la Escuela de Lenguas Modernas estaría dispuesta a apoyar y dar seguimiento a la enseñanza de idiomas a través de este proyecto. También se concluye que el nivel de inglés de la población estudiantil y el aspecto presupuestario son las dos razones principales que pueden obstaculizar esta idea.