Analysis of the Best Practices Followed by the Top Business Schools in the United States When Teaching Business in Spanish

• In Event: Teaching, Etc.

Abstract

American institutions of higher education, aware of the fact that Spanish is becoming one of the world’s key business languages, are currently offering courses and/ or programs that provide students with a basic understanding of business and economics as well as the ability to communicate about them in Spanish in a professional context. Due to the potential of these programs to help students thrive in today’s competitive global economy, it is essential to enhance their teaching-learning process.
The goal of this paper is to examine how the top business schools in the U.S. are offering Business in Spanish studies in order to identify and learn from the best practices followed by these top institutions. The leading practices identified in this research can be classified into five categories: hands on learning, study abroad programs, diversity, flexibility and use of Information and Communication Technologies. In addition, this article explores college students’ perceptions of the benefits of second language learning in the development of the personal and social skills required by business organizations to be a good professional.

Author

• Virginia Cortijo, Stonehill College