An Exploration of the Historical-Pedagogical Trends in Colombian ELT: Interpretative Analysis of the ASOCOPI/HOW Archive from 1966 to 1985

Main Article Content

Carlo Granados-Beltrán
Luis Miguel Martínez-Luengas

Abstract

The field of English Language Teaching (ELT) has undergone significant transformations since 1966, heavily influenced by evolving sociocultural dynamics. This article explores how broader sociopolitical and cultural changes have shaped teacher education and professional development in ELT based on archival work with the very first issues of HOW, starting in 1966 (in total, 6 volumes; 52 issues until 1985). Key global phenomena, such as globalization, the digital revolution, and the advocacy for intercultural understanding, have redefined educational priorities and methodologies. Teacher education programs have progressively evolved from traditional grammar-translation methods to more inclusive and communicative approaches. Sociocultural changes have necessitated the incorporation of intercultural competence and intercultural education into teacher education curricula, reflecting the growing recognition of cultural diversity in the classroom. Professional development opportunities have also expanded, emphasizing the need for teachers to adapt to sociocultural shifts and technological advancements. In this regard, HOW serves as a valuable repository of these transformations. Given its longevity and sustained contribution to the field, the journal offers a rich archive that documents the evolution of English language teacher education in Colombia, capturing shifts in pedagogical perspectives, research priorities, and policy discussions. By analyzing its contents over time, it is possible to trace how English language teaching in the country has been influenced by these broader trends, and how educators' perceptions, practices, and professional identities have been shaped as a result. HOW serves as a meeting point for educators, researchers, and policymakers to foster dialogue, disseminate research, and build an academic community, ensuring ELT evolves with society.

Article Details

How to Cite
Granados-Beltrán, C., & Martínez-Luengas, L. M. (2025). An Exploration of the Historical-Pedagogical Trends in Colombian ELT: Interpretative Analysis of the ASOCOPI/HOW Archive from 1966 to 1985. HOW, 32(2), 125–147. https://doi.org/10.19183/how.32.2.858
Section
Reflections and Revision of Themes
Author Biographies

Carlo Granados-Beltrán, Institución Universitaria Colombo Americana – ÚNICA, Bogotá

 He holds a Ph.D. in Education, an M.A. in British Cultural Studies and English Language Teaching, and another in Applied Linguistics to Teaching English as a Foreign Language. He is the Academic Vice-Chancellor at Institución Universitaria Colombo Americana – ÚNICA, Bogotá.

Luis Miguel Martínez-Luengas, Institución Universitaria Colombo Americana – ÚNICA, Bogotá

He holds a B.Ed. in Teaching English and an M.A. in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. He also holds a Ph.D. in Education, majoring in English Language Teaching. He is a teacher and researcher at the Institución Universitaria Colombo Americana – ÚNICA - Graduate Program.

References

Areiza, R. (2008). ¿Lenguas en contacto o lenguas en conflicto? Lenguas amenazadas. Lenguas en Contacto y Bilingüismo, 1, 11-20.

Bastidas, J. A. (2017). More than half a century teaching EFL in Colombian secondary schools: Tracing back our footprints to understand the present. HOW, 24(1), 10-26. http://dx.doi.org/10.19183/how.24.1.348.

Bermúdez-Jiménez, J., Fandiño-Parra, Y., & Ramírez-Valencia, A. (2014). Percepciones de directivos y docentes de instituciones educativas distritales sobre la implementación del Programa Bogotá Bilingüe. Voces y silencios. Revista Latinoamericana de Educación, 5(2), 135-171.

Garrido, A. (2003). El aprendizaje como identidad de participación en la práctica de una comunidad virtual. IN3 Working Paper Series, (3).

Gattegno, C. (1976). The Common Sense of Foreign Language Teaching. Educational Solutions.

Gil Otálora, J. (2013). Viaje de la memoria por la Escuela de Idiomas, 1960 – 2010. Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia. Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación.

Giroux, S., & Tremblay, G. (2004). Metodología de las Ciencias Humanas. La Investigación en Acción. Fondo de Cultura Económica.

Lamb, T. (2012). Language associations and collaborative support: Language teacher associations as empowering spaces for professional networks. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 6(3), 287-308.

Lucero, E., & Díaz, Z. (2016). Characterizing ASOCOPI: Its affiliates, ideals, and contributions. HOW, 23(2), 10-34. http://dx.doi.org/10.19183/how.23.2.266

Meadows, B. (2016). Culture teaching in historical review: On the occasion of ASOCOPI’s fiftieth anniversary. HOW, 23(2), 148-169. http://dx.doi.org/10.19183/how.23.2.294

Meyer, J. W., & Rowan, B. (1977). Institutionalized organizations: Formal structure as myth and ceremony. American Journal of Sociology, 83(2), 340-363.

Meyer, J. W., & Hannan, M. T. (1979) National Development and the World System: Educational, Economic, and Political Change, 1950-1970. University of Chicago Press.

Rubiano, C. I., Frodden, C., & Cardona, G. (2000). The impact of the Colombian Framework for English (COFE) project: an insiders' perspective. Íkala, Revista de Lenguaje y Cultura, 5(1), 37-56.

Vargas, A., Tejada, H., & Colmenares, S. (2008). Estándares básicos de competencias en lenguas extranjeras (inglés): una lectura crítica. Lenguaje: Revista de la Escuela de Ciencias del Lenguaje de la Universidad del Valle, 36(1), 241-275.

Ventresca, M. J., & Mohr, J. W. (2005). Archival Research Methods. In J. A. C. Baum (Ed.). The Blackwell Companion to Organizations (pp. 847-873). Blackwell Publishing.

Wenger, E. (2001). Comunidades de práctica. Aprendizaje, significado e identidad. Paidós.