English in Panama : How the English Department at the University of Panama is Killing the Language in the Country

English proficiency in Panama is among the lowest in the world. The English Department of the University of Panama is literally killing the language in the country. This book, English in Panama: How the English Department of the University of Panama Is Killing the Language in the Country, contains both positive and negative information.

On the positive side, the book outlines the United States Embassy's role in improving the language in Panama. The United States Embassy in Panama has a Regional English Language Office (RELO) which provides professional development opportunities for English teachers in Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Nicaragua, Suriname, Venezuela, and the Caribbean. Other topics featured are the importance of English; English proficiency in Latin America; a brief history of Panama; and Panama's ties to the United States of America.

The negatives include a critique of the English Department of the University of Panama, which include professors' lack of knowledge of the subject they teach and the incompetence and ignorance of the language portrayed by many in the department. In this regard, many are unable to speak the language that they teach. These defects need to be exposed. This has been going on for too many years. Evidences of this are outlined in chapters 3 and 4.

English is just not taught the way that it should. Students are not hearing enough of the language spoken by their professors. Professors in the department neglect to practice speaking the language that they teach. This neglect is not only causing a problem in the department and the university, but it has spilled over to affect the entire country.

by Clifton Green James

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