Foreign Language Planning: The Case of a Teacher/Translator Training Programme at a Mexican University

Abstract

The present article reports on a study that set out to investigate the effectiveness of strategies and decisions formulated in foreign language planning to ensure learners’ language achievement in a higher education context which trains learners to become English or French teachers or translators. By drawing on data collected from simulated proficiency tests and interviews with students, teachers, and administrators, the findings show that the foreign language goals have not been met as stipulated in the curriculum, and that there are several shortcomings in the foreign language planning that need the educational community’s consideration. This article also discusses some factors that should be considered in foreign language planning in order to meet language goals in educational contexts.

Keywords

• Curriculum
• English as a foreign language
• language planning
• low proficiency level
• teacher training