This article presents the results of a Research project which aims at exploring teachers' narratives regarding the construction of their professional self-image whilst working in an autonomous learning setting. This study was conducted in a public university in Boyaca Colombia, with a sample of four full time teachers. The results of the study indicate that those who work in an autonomous learning setting construct their self-image throughout their professional lives; this process is the result of the impressions from their own teachers, their previous and current teaching experiences, and their expectations about the future. Likewise, the participants defined autonomy in accordance with their reality at the Language Institute as follows: Firstly, as a utopian possibility for teachers, due to the very restricted scope to propose, make choices and act freely in academic activities. Secondly, as a real happening, possible to occur in external contexts when conducting research and attending conferences.