What do you see as strengths?

Where are there fewer resources than others?

What are others likely to see as weaknesses?

What threats do any weaknesses expose to you?

What trends could you take advantage of? How can you turn strengths into opportunities?

-Students practice English in real-world contexts, like explaining experiments or solving problems.

-Many STEAM topics are globally relevant, allowing students to discuss important issues in English, increasing their vocabulary and understanding of real-world concepts.

-Combining language with STEAM develops problem-solving and creativity in both areas.

-Planning STEAM activities requires more preparation, which can be challenging considering a teacher’s busy schedule.

-Teachers may need additional training or professional development to feel confident integrating STEAM subjects into their language classes.

-It might be challenging to adapt STEAM activities for students with different language levels or learning needs, and this may lead to uneven progress in language acquisition.

-STEAM offers opportunities to work with other teachers or departments, enriching the learning experience.

-We would be preparing students for careers in fields that value both technical and language proficiency, making them more competitive in the global job market.

-English becomes not just a subject but a medium for learning various disciplines.

-Balancing STEAM and English could overwhelm students who struggle with either area.

-Some students may be resistant to this new approach, especially if they expect traditional methods of language learning.

-Students may not have access to necessary resources at home.

Teachers may face issues in class management since adult students have varied levels of English language proficiency and comfort with Steam subjects.

Many adult students may face barriers due to lack of access to high-quality technology or digital literacy, making it harder for them to fully participate in STEAM-related activities.

Lack of resources or materials may be a real challenge.

Classes with mixed ability level and students with special needs must also be considered when incorporationg STEAM.

Using STEAM will improve employability and human resource exchange.

2- Costa Rica government promotes technology and innovation to attract foreign investment. Therefore it´s always interested in improving new strategies for future generations to get ready for new economic activities in the country. This program is an example of it.

3- Our internet connetivity is not the best but much better than in other developing countries. Besides that, we have resources we can use in our schools. Even public schools have access to technological tools that they can use and take advantage of.

2. We still have many rural areas in which technology has not developed properly and this gives a clear disadvantage in comparison to other public and private schools located in more developed places.

3. There can be a misalignment between the STEAM curriculum and the specific needs of the job market. While companies demand highly specialized skills in software development, data analysis, and AI, education systems may struggle to provide this training at scale. That´s why we need to have programs that can be able to connect these companies with our education system strategies.

2. We can create partnerships with multinational companies so that we can align their needs to our educational system. The opportunity is there but it seems nobody has thought about it. I think this program is a first step.

2. STEAM has to compete with other educational needs such as basic literacy. Besides that, the budget for education in Costa Rica is always changing, leaving authorities less options to improve in new areas. For example, right now, they are cutting the Computer classes in all schools and this will happen soon.

3. Lack of time

Global career opportunities

Interdisciplinary skillset

Resource-intensive

Potential for confusion

(But all these depend on the context of each student, career, and the university)

Cross-cultural collaboration

Innovative teaching methods

Resistance to change

Limited time for mastery

Since STEAM encompasses five primary disciplines, we might overlook other related fields that are complementary, often referred to as cognate courses or distribution requirements. Languages and linguistics can be included in this category.

English teachers will have the opportunity to discuss a wide array of topics in the classroom.

-Universities, like UNA, have highly qualified professionals in the English field and other disciplinary areas.

-We foster creativity and independence when students are involved in project-based tasks.

-Students are involved in learning experiences that make their linguistic skills transferable to a meaningful real-life situation which increases their interest in the target language.

- STEAM projects often involve real-world challenges, making learning more relevant for students.

-The combination of STEAM learning and the mastery of a foreign language increases the employability opportunities for students. It equips students with the knowledge needed to advance in their careers and to be the asset that companies are looking for.

-Students can be involved in more diverse and interactive learning experiences.

-It is a way to build new opportunities for our new professional generations by bringing more quality jobs.

-Costa Rica has emerged as an important industrial spot in the world.

-Some students´ low language proficiency level find it more challenging for them to deal with certain STEAM subjects.

-Depending on the region we are teaching, the cost and lack of resources needed may affect students and teachers as well.

-Time is an issue when teachers have a high workload, and they must find a way to learn about other subjects.  

-There would be greater scope for interdisciplinary research and projects within the universities.

-Teachers of different fields can learn from each other and help one another, which enhances teamwork.  

-Merging STEAM with foreign language learning prepares students for a globalized world as they will be equipped with the technical and linguistic skills demanded by companies.

-Some teachers are reluctant to learn new methodologies and to invest more time in planning and researching.

-It is sometimes hard to find specialists willing to help with certain topics that are hard for us to deal with.

-Learners attitude is not always the best as some of them do not think English is that important.

- Rapid technological changes that outpace curriculum.

- Competition from private universities offering STEAM programs.

-Development of partnerships with local businesses through extension programs.

- Inadequate technological infrastructure in some schools at TEC.

- Insufficient emphasis on arts in STEAM at TEC.

- Development of critical thinking and creativity.

- Fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

Students may find learning English more interesting and motivating when they see its application in STEAM subjects. Steam will help students to develop skills like creativity, teamwork, and digital literacy, essential for future careers.

Teachers may need additional training to feel comfortable teaching STEAM-related content.

STEAM projects might be too challenging for students because of their low English level.

Integrating language and STEAM encourages a more comprehensive education. Both technical and soft skills, which are highly valued in the labor market, are developed by students.

Creative Problem-Solving: By pushing students to confront problems from several perspectives, the integration of language and analytical thinking promotes this.

Assessment Challenges: Since technical skills and linguistic competency have separate evaluation standards measuring the success of such programs may be complex.

Curriculum Complexity: Designing programs that balance language and STEAM content can be challenging.

English teachers can take the advantage and make classes to be tied to future careers in technology, engineering, or science, making the language more relevant to students.

Not all the students may have access to Internet connection in their institutions.

Not all the teachers or institutions will apply STEAM in their curriculum because they already have their own programs.

●The institution and our education system promote the inclusion of STEAM as a key element to enhance skills that ss will need in their future.

●Our institution has communication laboratories that facilitate the combination of language teaching with STEAM tasks.

●Mobile technology allows us as educators create "portable laboratories" in our lesson plans.

●Current times make educators be constantly updated with technological strategies and tools.

●Working at TEC gives wide possibilities to ellaborate interdisciplinary activities which may involve the participation of different majors.

●Specific ESP courses open the possibility of involving STEAM and realia with the major.

●TEC offers multicultural spaces that may foster STEAM diacussiona from different points of views.

●TEC is strongly commited with extension and research programs.

●The ever-changing budget for education threats quality in assets.

●Some students may feel reluctant when working in tasks that demand more time and effort.

-Limited computer skills.

-Connectivity issues.

-Lack of specialized skills and knowledge of the subject matter.

-Difficulty understanding STEAM integration in the language classroom.

-Difficulty determining authentic assessment strategies.

-Language proficiency and technical skills may pose challenges for learners and teachers.

-Fear may also be an obstacle. A new approach, method, or idea may be seen as a threat to the established curricular practices. Not sticking to a textbook, assigning asynchronous tasks, project-based tasks, for example. And many times, that fear is rooted in the idea that such innovative practices may not allow teachers “to cover all the topics”, “to study all the grammar structures”, “to finish the units from a book”.

-Learners can also experience guided inquiry in which they must ask critical questions, uncover answers, and apply what they learn, as they develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and creativity. This is a great opportunity for students to work on projects that prepare them for their future working worlds.

-By incorporating different disciplines, learners are exposed to a broad and rich variety of viewpoints, perspectives, narratives, and ways of understanding the world. In this way, they can learn to appreciate the importance and role of those disciplines and the value of other people’s (experts or not) experiences.

-Be open to adopting new methodologies or approaches for integrating technology.

-Lack of commitment to implement a STEAM program.