Abstract

VILLALOBOS, Tania Gabriela Molina et al. Community Development, University Extension and English Language Skills as Promoters of Sustainable Rural Tourism: The Case of San Ramón, La Virgen, Sarapiquí. Comunicación [online]. 2025, vol.34, n.1, pp.131-143. ISSN 1659-3820.  http://dx.doi.org/10.18845/rc.v34i1.8092.

Community development in San Ramón of La Virgen, Sarapiquí, Heredia, Costa Rica, has grown significantly since 2014, fostered by local leadership and community collaboration. The creation of the Cooproturs R. L. cooperative has been key to improving the quality of life and generating new employment opportunities in the region. This progress has been supported by several institutions, facilitating tourism development in the area. A significant milestone was the strategic alliance with the Costa Rican Institute of Technology in 2014, which enabled the management of extension projects focused on tourism, entrepreneurship, and English. These initiatives enhanced local skills to promote sustainable tourism and economic growth. This article analyzes the progress of San Ramón from a community perspective, focusing on the project ''Strengthening the English Language Skills of the Members of Cooproturs R. L. for the Development of Rural Tourism.'' The methodology included extension projects, community support, alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and interinstitutional cooperation. Evaluations conducted during the project showed significant progress in English, particularly in speaking skills, achieved by most participants. In conclusion, the study highlights the relevance of university extension programs to empower rural communities and the central role of the English language in sustainable tourism in San Ramón of La Virgen, Sarapiquí.

Keywords : Community development; interinstitutional collaboration; English teaching; university extension; Sarapiquí; territoriality; community empowerment.

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