Distance Learning Courses in Initial English Language Teacher Education: A Census Analysis

ABSTRACT:

The current Brazilian educational legal-doc establishes the mandatory teaching of the English language in basic education. This requires special attention to teacher education, one of the great challenges of Brazilian education. The present original study analyzes the data from the 2019 Census of Higher Education in relation to distance learning undergraduate courses in English Language/Literature, which have expanded considerably in recent years. The investigation focuses on institutional aspects, the geographic distribution of such courses, student body, and social inclusion. Among other findings, the study reveals (i) the offer of distance learning undergraduate courses in English Language/Literature almost exclusively by private higher education institutions, (ii) the large number of withdrawals in these distance learning courses, and (iii) the need to promote social inclusion in the same courses. It is suggested that the analysis of the annual data from the Census of Higher Education in Brazil should be established as a research focus. This way, it will be possible to contribute to the proposal of public educational policies on an ongoing basis, guaranteeing access to quality education in undergraduate courses in English Language/Literature for all in the country.

KEYWORDS:
initial teacher education; English language; distance education; Census of Higher Education; Language/Literature undergraduate courses; higher education