Instructors Fill Need for Online Spanish in Business Course With Open Education Textbook

Two Spanish instructors collaborated with University of Arkansas Libraries and the Global Campus as part of the Open Educational Resources Course Materials Conversion Program to create a new, free resource for students studying business concepts in the context of the Spanish language and Spanish-speaking countries.

Antonio Parrilla Recuero and Hilda Benton, both Spanish instructors in the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, published a textbook in June called Negocios y Desarrollo Profesional: Perspectivas en Español. The textbook is being used this fall in the new online course Spanish Business I developed by Benton, who is also the director of online Spanish studies. The new course is part of the year-old Bachelor of Arts in Spanish degree delivered online.

“We believe that providing this textbook at no cost will benefit both students and instructors, who will appreciate teaching relevant and up-to-date topics in their face-to-face business courses as well,” Parrilla Recuero said.

The new textbook focuses on global business concepts, intercultural and international communication and the process of acculturation for studying or working in Spanish-speaking countries. Key topics include global trade, leadership, ethics, sustainability and globalization. It also covers professional development, interpersonal communications, getting ready for an interview and preparing a CV and cover letter. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of teamwork to collaborate effectively within the business context of Spanish-speaking countries, highlighting the relevance of operating ethically and responsibly for the well-being of communities and the environment.

In addition to serving as the primary source for Spanish Business I (SPAN 43303), the textbook will be used in other courses for both online and face-to-face students at the U of A pursuing a degree in Spanish and for students in Sam M. Walton College of Business degree programs. The authors said it was needed because the textbook previously used for the Spanish business courses was outdated and expensive.

The Open Educational Resources Team is made up of staff from the University Libraries and the Global Campus, and they supported the project, Benton said. Christine Rickabaugh, the open education librarian who was in charge of the project, explained that OER is free to students and users around the world. The resources are also available to the public for teaching, learning, research and other purposes.

Parrilla Recuero and Benton incorporated content from seven or eight textbooks to include topics relevant to conducting business in Spanish. Most were resources from existing open textbooks, with University Libraries paying a licensing fee to include a few pages.

A bachelor’s degree in Spanish can be used for a variety of careers, including roles in international business, marketing and customer service. It is particularly valuable in a business setting because it enables professionals to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking clients and partners, understand cultural nuances and facilitate market expansion into Spanish-speaking regions. Additionally, proficiency in Spanish is crucial for translation and interpretation tasks, which are essential for accurate communication and document handling in global business operations. This skill set not only enhances business operations and relationships but also provides a competitive edge in the global job market, especially when working in Spanish-speaking countries.

This story also appeared in the University of Arkansas News publication.