Ana Madrigal, President; Akira Quesada, Secretary The Costa Rican Association of English teachers (ACPI), San Jose, Costa Rica

The Organization

On July 16, 1960, the association started its journey as a language-pioneering association. Celebrating its 61^st anniversary this year, ACPI was set up for the advancement of Costa Rican education in the English language as a foreign language.

Despite being a relatively small association, ACPI is the professional home to members from the seven provinces in the country. Our affiliates, the heart of the association, are in-service teachers, teacher-students, trainers, managers of language schools, and other educational stakeholders who are reached by ACPI through the online web page, Facebook, emails, and phone calls. Much of ACPI’s professional development work is carried out by volunteers in leadership positions in the Head Office Staff and on committees. Moreover, many of these memberships are taken out by academic institutions, private language schools, and the Ministry of Public Education (MEP).

Given this varied work and educational environments, ACPI must address the needs and interests of that diverse population in the different actions it takes to ensure the fulfillment of its goals:

• Annual conferences for English language teaching professionals are held in San José, Costa Rica each July, and attended by around 17 presenters and 100 teachers. The convention is a key membership benefit, and its success is of importance for the organization. It includes about 25 presentations and talks developed by presenters around the world.
• Workshops and training events outside the capital, with the support of special interest groups, and often attract a significant number of local teachers.
• Distribution of publications, newsletters, magazines, and books.
• Exchanges and scholarships abroad with different partners.
• Participation in webinars promoted by TESOL, Latin American Group, IATEFL, and others.
• Materials from TESOL, IATEFL, Payhip, The Shift Network, El Gazette, Education Week, UPEACE, Artful Science, The Savvy Principal, Edutopia Weekly, Film English, NAFSA, Weird History, Trinity College in London, I Heart British TV, Arts Engines, Bridge Universe, and others.
• Academic alliances with public and private organizations like (UNED) Universidad Estatal a Distancia, (MEP) Ministry of Public Education, the American Embassy, the British Council, and others.

The Pandemic has been a challenge to ACPI due to the technological resources and knowledge this digital transition demands. It requires a twist incorporating a culture of technology and digital skills. Key to the previous condition, a community of practice is a goal that nowadays ACPI envisions for enriching and reinventing its operation.