Innovation in course design to teach business discourse: students’ feedback and insights

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21283/2376905X.1.12.1.3269

Keywords:

BUSINESS DISCOURSE, ESP TEACHING, MULTIMODALITY, DIGITAL COMMUNICATION, CMC, STUDENTS’ FEEDBACK

Abstract

This paper describes a course in English Language and Linguistics addressed to MA students majoring in English for International Communication at the University of Turin Italy). The course was especially designed for this degree program and integrated the use of language corpora, principles of multimodality, visual and verbal communication in company websites, as well as the analysis of corporate crises. The study draws on feedback gathered from students through an end-of-course questionnaire during the academic year 2023-24. The findings reveal that students appreciated active participation through a hands-on approach and group work on selected case studies. Their responses indicate an openness to new learning methods, though they remain attached to traditional content-based approaches, particularly in assessment. As established models make students resistant to change, this study demonstrates that educational innovation requires student active involvement and an engaging approach.

Author Biographies

Antonella Giacosa, Università di Torino

Antonella Giacosa (PhD) has been an EFL teacher in secondary schools for over 20 years and has collaborated with the English Department at the University of Turin since 2017. She is an educational linguist with an interest in innovative, intercultural, and transdisciplinary approaches to ELT. She is part of research teams that foucs focused on the internationalization and innovation of curricula , both in Italy and abroad. She has recently published her first book, Effective Multimodal Interaction for Online and Hybrid Teaching: Data-driven Insights (2024, Palgrave Macmillan).

Virginia Pulcini, Università di Torino

Virginia Pulcini is Full Professor of English Language and Linguistics at the University of Torino, Italy (Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Modern Cultures). She has published works in several fields of English linguistics, English language teaching, lexicology, lexicography and contact linguistics. She has recently published the monograph The Influence of English on Italian. Lexical and Cultural Features (2023, De Gruyter).

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Published

2025-07-02

How to Cite

Giacosa, A., & Pulcini, V. (2025). Innovation in course design to teach business discourse: students’ feedback and insights. EuroAmerican Journal of Applied Linguistics and Languages, 12(1), 36–52. https://doi.org/10.21283/2376905X.1.12.1.3269