With the goal of further strengthening our bilingual education program in Eastern Antioquia, EAFIT University, Fundación Los 8 Valores, and Fundación Fraternidad Medellín have joined forces to launch Next Step! Future Bilingual, an initiative designed not only to encourage the learning of English but also to introduce students to new cultures, broaden their horizons, and open doors to opportunities that can transform their future.
The program is driven by a shared purpose: to provide children and young people with the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world while strengthening the educational, tourism, cultural, and economic potential of the region.
Today, Next Step! is implemented in three public schools in the municipalities of Rionegro and La Ceja, directly benefiting 2,240 students and strengthening the capacities of 35 teachers who actively participate in English language courses, as well as 39 lead English teachers who take part in professional development workshops focused on English language teaching methodologies.
The schools currently participating in the initiative are Institución Educativa Concejo Municipal El Porvenir – Eduardo Uribe Botero Campus, in Rionegro; Institución Educativa La Paz, in La Ceja; and Institución Educativa Técnico Industrial Santiago de Arma (IETISA), in Rionegro, where hundreds of students attend extracurricular English classes designed to strengthen their communication skills and build confidence in using the language in real-life situations.
The program combines innovative, contextualized pedagogical, methodological, and instructional strategies that transform English into a tool for creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.
The initiative is led by a team of instructors from EAFIT Languages, who guide students through extracurricular English learning groups using dynamic lessons closely connected to their everyday realities, making language learning both engaging and practical. In this way, English becomes more than just another school subject—it becomes a tool for fostering creativity, leadership, and new opportunities.
In addition to supporting students, the program strengthens participating schools by helping them develop their bilingual education roadmap, enhance bilingual learning environments, and provide professional development for teachers, ensuring that the necessary capacities remain in place to sustain the initiative over time.
Next Step! joins the two bilingual education programs already supported by Fundación Fraternidad Medellín and led by Colombo Americano and Open English. Together, these initiatives have benefited 3,629 students and 168 teachers across four educational institutions in Eastern Antioquia during 2026.
At Fundación Fraternidad Medellín, we believe that education transforms lives when it responds to today's challenges while preparing future generations for tomorrow. Next Step! is another example of how strategic partnerships make it possible for more children, young people, and teachers to access the tools that expand their opportunities for learning, growth, and development.
