Experiencia Académica Daniel Larenas - Programa de Inglés para Académicas/os

XIX 2025

The Teaching Development Unit (Uperdoc), part of the Teaching Division of the Undergraduate Department at the University of Chile, has been running the English Program for Academics since the week of March 24. Now in its nineteenth edition, this initiative forms part of the university’s broader plan for teaching development at the undergraduate level.

The aim of the program is to strengthen English-language skills—writing, listening, reading comprehension, and speaking—so that academic staff can enhance their work in research, outreach, and teaching.

Experiences

Feedback and reflections from each edition’s participants are essential for the ongoing improvement of the teaching and learning processes promoted by Uperdoc. Below, we share the testimonial of Assistant Teacher Daniel Larenas Rosa, from the Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, who has taken part in the program in recent years.

The academic shared his experience across various stages of participation, following an active search for a program that would allow him to improve and strengthen the language skills needed to engage in English-speaking academic environments. Reflecting on this, he expressed his satisfaction with the practical focus of the sessions, noting the strong connection between the classroom activities and real-life scenarios, such as preparing for professional presentations.

Assistant teacher Daniel Larenas Rosa highlighted the value of working in small groups with academics from different disciplines and faculties. He emphasized the importance of learning from one's mistakes, practicing in a supportive environment with the guidance of a skilled tutor, and gaining confidence along the way. According to him, the English Program for Academics has fully met his expectations.

Finally, he expressed a firm belief that the tools and skills acquired through the program will enable him to participate successfully in future academic and professional opportunities that require the use of English.