Editorial
Dr. Carlo Granados-Beltrán

Academic Vice Chancellor ÚNICA

W
elcome to this new issue of GiST Journal! While the pandemic caused 
by COVID-19 is modifying its features and the world is slowly moving 
into a new ‘normal’, many educators are still questioning themselves 
about the effects of this worldwide crisis and what we could learn so 

that we could enter a post-pandemic era. Some of the contributions for this edition 
reports results from studies about the impact COVID-19 has caused in different 
contexts. 

Takkaç-Tulgar aimed to study the influence of transactional distance on the 
motivation of EFL students in the context of an imaginary city threatened by the 
destructive effects of COVID-19. Also, Ypsilanti and Karras developed a narrative 
study based on non-fictional creative stories written in English about the experiences 
during the first lockdown in Greece. Another contribution by Ibrahem explored 
students’ perceptions about distance learning and the applicability of the social 
constructivist approach in the midst of the pandemic caused by COVID-19. 

Another interest present in this issue are related to EFL teachers. In this line, we 
find the article by Megistu about Ethiopian EFL teachers’ stress and its causes as well 
as the strategies teachers use to cope with that stress. Kaya and Kurucuk, on their part, 
analyzed the reasons why preservice teachers decided to pursue a degree in education.  
Pronunciation in English is also a topic explored in this edition. Alimorab and Adib 
studied pronunciation anxiety and the motivation in the will to communicate for Iranian 
students. Also Silva, from Colombia, did a linguistic analysis comparing the English and 
Spanish phonological systems, which has didactic implications in order to help students 
of these languages. Finally, Khan’s article studied the perceptions of teachers and their 
real practice about the quality of teaching in secondary schools in Pakistan.

We encourage ELT scholars in Colombia and abroad to continue strengthening 
this community of knowledge by sharing their research and reflections through 
publication. Happy Holidays!