#2746

Task-/Project-Based Learning (TBL/PBL) Research Paper (25 mins)

Teach Business English Responsibly: Case Studies for Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development

Fri, Apr 29, 09:00-Tue, May 31, 23:55 Asia/Seoul

This presentation reports on a newly implemented Business English curriculum utilizing business case studies focused on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Seven intact “Career English” university classes participated in a semester-long course following the new curriculum. Preliminary findings show that the course increased student motivation, interest, and engagement, as well as practical knowledge of business English and the ability to communicate in business settings. Grounded in task-based language teaching, case studies require learners to critically analyze real-life problems faced by companies, develop feasible solutions, and suggest courses of action. In the language learning classroom, this method gives participants the opportunity to enhance communication skills, negotiate meaning, learn business discourse and correspondence, and critical thinking. Furthermore, case studies meaningfully integrate content and language learning. For this course, learners were asked to investigate a company’s CSR policies and propose solutions that contribute to the SDGs.

  • Travis Past

    Travis Past is an instructor of English as a foreign language at the School of International Studies of Kwansei Gakuin University in Hyogo Japan. His research interests include computer-assisted language learning, storytelling in EFL, extensive reading, peer feedback and interaction. He has been living and teaching in Japan for 11 years.