Spanish as a Second Language for Indigenous Peoples of Panama (Español para los Pueblos Originarios)

Located in Central America, Panama has a population of 4 million spread across 10 provinces, three Indigenous comarcas, and other Indigenous territories. Many of the areas in which Indigenous peoples live are remote and difficult to access, decreasing access to and quality of education for the children who live there. As Spanish is the primary language of instruction in Panama, Spanish language competency is essential for educational advancement and future employability. In addition, many Indigenous languages are at risk due to the fact that Spanish is now the primary language spoken in many comarcas although Spanish language skills are weak. Finally, there is a need for education among the comaracas of the different Indigenous cultures.

Education Development Center is implementing the Spanish as a Second Language (Español para los Pueblos Originarios or EPO) project, an interactive audio instruction (IAI) program in collaboration with Panama’s Ministry of Education (MEDUCA), including the National Directorate of Intercultural Bilingual Education (DNEIB), and the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI), with support from the Inter-American Development Bank. EPO is working with local experts to produce the IAI programs, which will support the development of intercultural bilingual education. These IAI programs are contextualized and accessible and contribute to the improvement of oral language and pre-reading skills in Spanish and basic vocabulary in Indigenous languages for first-grade students from the seven Indigenous communities.