Exploring the challenges and motivational factors in english language learning: insights from rural Zumba, Ecuador

Zumba is a border region in Ecuador, considered a remote area and classified as urban- rural, with a predo-minantly rural population. This study aims to explore the challenges faced by high school rural students in learning a second language (English) in Zumba and to identify the motivational factors influencing the learning process, taking into account this region’s socio-cultural and demographic characteristics. Teaching English in rural areas has unique characteristics, as it requires consideration of a range of specific factors involving stu-dents, which can be critical to their learning process. It was a qualitative study in which, from a constructivist perspective, interviews will be conducted with students from rural areas, their parents, and teachers to unders-tand their perspectives on education in Zumba.