This article is based on the results of a master’s dissertation entitled A Needs Analysis into the Compulsory English Courses of South Colombian University (USCO). This study has three aims: first, to identify the disfavouring conditions that teachers consider to be affecting the courses in question; second, to identify a possible gap between the felt needs of current and former students and the English language training which they receive at USCO; and third, to collect suggestions from stakeholder groups for future improvements to the courses. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews; the participants included current students, former students, teachers, and the supervisor of the courses. The results show that students’ needs are not currently being met and that an English for Specific Purposes approach is required. Teachers face a lack of educational resources and limited cohesion amongst colleagues, while the major problem of the supervisor is that of budgeting.

La educación erigida a partir del conocimiento es fundamental para el desarrollo y progreso de las sociedades modernas; de ahí la necesidad de comprender el alcance que tienen las prácticas pedagógicas en la formación inicial de futuros maestros (Lopes & Blázquez, 2012; MEN, 2013). Por un lado presentamos un estudio mixto que incluye análisis de corte cualitativo y cuantitativo para medir y caracterizar el impacto en el entorno educativo de las prácticas pedagógicas de la Licenciatura en Inglés de una Universidad estatal en Colombia. En segundo lugar, se analizan las opiniones y percepciones de rectores, coordinadores académicos, profesores cooperadores, practicantes y asesores de práctica involucrados en el proceso de práctica del programa a través de cinco instrumentos tipo encuesta con escala de Likert (Campoy & Gómez, 2009). Finalmente, se presentan los resultados y las recomendaciones a la comunidad académica interesada en promover una reestructuración de los procesos de prácticas pedagógicas en los programas de lenguas extranjeras. Reformas en línea con políticas públicas de formación pedagógica inicial, expectativas y necesidades de formación docente con miras a superar el insularismo asignaturista en los planes de estudio actuales.

Four Virtual Learning Objects (VLO) were designed to incorporate English for Specific Purposes (ESP) learning at a public university in Colombia. Each VLO comprised a series of Virtual Learning Scenarios (VLS), including a vocabulary bank, a set of activities related to the six linguistic competencies (listening comprehension, oral interaction, oral production, reading comprehension, writing production, writing interaction), and an assessment and feedback sections. The impact of the VLO on students' perceptions of their progress was measured through entry and exit surveys composed of a 5-point Likert scale, multiple choice and open-ended questions. 139 students from Software Engineering (18), Journalism (22), Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences (50) and Nursing (49) enrolled in the University English Courses (UEC) and five teachers participated. The results reveal that students' perceptions of the VLS are positive, as each VLO is innovative and motivates learning strategies. Additionally, each VLO improved students listening and speaking skills. Therefore, the researchers recommend that teachers who design and implement VLOs focus on providing their students with skills and knowledge necessary to their specific study fields.