Comparative study of the methodological adaptation and the use of ICT in language teaching during the Covid-19 pandemic: the cases of Costa Rica and Panama

Abstract

This research seeks to carry out a comparative study analyzing the aspects related to the methodological adaptation of foreign language teachers in Costa Rica and Panama. This is an exploratory qualitative study, using as a data collection instrument a questionnaire applied online during 2021 and 2022. 15 Costa Rican and 15 Panamanian university professors participated. As main results, it was found that information and communication technologies played a transcendental role in the educational process, since it allowed teachers to use tools such as email to establish communication with the student, platforms to perform synchronous and asynchronous activities, Zoom to teach classes, among others. In addition, these tools brought advantages such as saving time in commuting to work, diversifying resources to teach courses, the availability of material for students. However, it also led to some inconveniences such as Internet connection problems, lack of interaction, increased work, etc.