Strengthening English language skills through the use of urban legends from Pujilí canton

This research analyzes the impact of using urban legends from Pujilí Canton as a didactic resource for developing the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) in English. The study stems from the need to contextualize foreign language learning within local cultural heritage. Adopting a quantitative approach and a quasi-experimental design, the study involved a sample of 38 fifth-semester students from the English Major at the Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi, Pujilí Extension. Results, obtained through pre-test and post-test measurements, demonstrate a significant increase in communicative competence and student motivation when interacting with narrative content from their immediate environment. It is concluded that ethno-didactics applied to English improves oral and written production, fostering meaningful learning and a strengthened cultural identity.