Exploration of cognitive special needs at the Faculty of Administration of the University of Guayaquil for the design of a viable EFL teacher training proposal.

Abstract

To research the aspects of special needs in the Faculty of Administration at the University of Guayaquil to identify possible weak elements. For this purpose, this study uses a quantitative method to describe and analyze the needs of professors about intellectual disability in the students’ population. The research confirmed the importance of applying pedagogical strategies as an essential means of improving teaching practices. The participants consisted of 42 professors from the English department of the Science Administration Faculty at the University of Guayaquil. There were both male and female participants based in Guayaquil in Ecuador during the academic year 2018-2019. Fourth main instruments were used to gather the data, a survey, a test, two semi-structured interviews, and a questionnaire (5 sources). Finally, an online training course was designed that delivers several cutting-edge resources by utilizing a website to enhance professors’ teaching practice with special needs students.