From the classroom to AI: evolution and future of English teacher training (2015–2025)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26871/killkana_social.v10i2.1723Keywords:
Formación docente en inglés, educación superior, Tecnologías digitales educativas, inteligencia artificial en educación, Profesionalización docente, Ética digitalAbstract
This article examines the evolution of initial teacher education for English language instructors in Latin America between 2015 and 2025, with a particular emphasis on curricular reforms, quality standards, and the integration of digital technologies and artificial intelligence. It adopts a qualitative, historical-documentary methodology, supported by the methods of analysis–synthesis, induction–deduction, and historical–logical reasoning. The study reviews normative documents, reference frameworks, and institutional policies, evaluating their impact on the balance between linguistic, pedagogical, and practical components of teacher education. Findings reveal a partial transition toward more integrated models of teacher preparation, although structural imbalances and curricular fragmentation continue to limit coherence. The accelerated incorporation of digital technologies, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, has expanded access but has generally lacked robust pedagogical planning. Artificial intelligence emerges as a disruptive force, presenting ethical, pedagogical, and accessibility challenges that require urgent attention. While promising, its implementation risks exacerbating inequalities if not guided by inclusive and ethically grounded frameworks. The article concludes that advancing teacher professionalization in Latin America requires clearer ethical guidelines, coherent curricular integration, and stronger supervised teaching practice. It argues that institutional policies should prioritize critical training in digital ethics and pedagogical innovation, while curricular reforms should align with international frameworks such as TPACK and DigCompEdu. By addressing these issues, initial teacher education programs can better prepare future English language instructors to navigate the complexities of digital transformation while ensuring quality, equity, and sustainability in education.
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