Desafios do ensino e da aprendizagem das línguas estrangeiras em São Tomé e Príncipe - o caso do Inglês e do Alemão convite para reflexão e ação

This article investigates the challenges faced in teaching and learning foreign languages, with a focus on English and German, in São Tomé and Príncipe. The research carries out a historical review of the beginning of English in the 7th grade at Liceu-Colégioin the 1954/55 school year until the implementation of German with the beginning of the 10th grade at Liceu D. João IIin the 1960/61 school year in São Tomé and Príncipe. The main obstacles identified include the scarcity of teaching resources, student demotivation and structural limitations in schools. The methodology involved qualitative interviews with thirteen English and twelve German teachers, providing an in-depth understanding of educational needs and pedagogical perspectives. The results highlight the imperative need to implement innovative strategies and guarantee institutional support, emphasising the importance of a holistic educational approach that takes into account the cultural and linguistic specificities of the archipelago. The conclusion stresses that in order to foster a dynamic and effective learning environment, it is imperative to integrate pedagogical approaches that value cultural and linguistic diversity, thus promoting the linguistic and cultural development of students and contributing to the construction of bilingual and multilingual citizens in a globalised context.