Every region has stories that deserve to be remembered: legends shared by grandparents, mysterious places, local celebrations, Indigenous traditions, historical memories, musical heritage, supernatural encounters, and characters who live in the imagination of a community.
Tales & Traditions invites future and practising language educators to transform this cultural richness into engaging stories for readers of English.
Your entry may reimagine a traditional account or tell a completely original story. What matters is that it remains meaningfully rooted in Colombian culture and represents its inspiration with care and respect.
The ten selected stories will appear together in a professionally edited publication titled:
Tales & Traditions: Emerging Voices in Colombia
The anthology will include a foreword by ASOCOPI, an editorial introduction by Colibri Reader, and a short biography of every selected author.
ASOCOPI, the Colombian Association of English Language Teachers, is a national professional organisation that supports collaboration, academic development, and innovation within Colombia’s English Language Teaching community. Through initiatives such as Tales & Traditions, ASOCOPI helps create meaningful opportunities for future educators to develop their skills, share their voices, and celebrate Colombia’s cultural diversity through English.
1 August to 15 October 2026
16 October to 20 November 2026
21 November to 30 November 2026
1 December 2026
5 December to 27 January
Who may enter?
Students currently enrolled in a recognised Colombian university programme in:
What should you write?
One original, unpublished narrative story written in English.
How long should it be?
Between 4,000 and 5,000 words, excluding the title, cultural context note, source list, biography, and declarations.
Who is the intended reader?
Your story should be accessible to readers between CEFR B1 and C1.
Do you need a mentor?
Yes. Every participant must be supported by a university professor, teacher educator, or qualified academic. A mentor may endorse no more than two participants.
How many entries may you submit?
One story by one author. Co-authored entries are not eligible.
We offer culturally rich storybooks for young English learners, combining engaging narratives with built-in vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension exercises.
We’d love to hear from you! Write to us or fill out the contact form.
