The University of Arkansas has recently introduced a new, free resource for students studying business concepts in the context of the Spanish language and Spanish-speaking countries. Two Spanish instructors, Antonio Parrilla Recuero and Hilda Benton, collaborated with University of Arkansas Libraries and the Global Campus as part of the Open Educational Resources Course Materials Conversion Program to create a textbook titled „Negocios y Desarrollo Profesional: Perspectivas en Español.“ This textbook is being used in the new online course Spanish Business I, developed by Benton, who is also the director of online Spanish studies.
The textbook focuses on global business concepts, intercultural and international communication, and the process of acculturation for studying or working in Spanish-speaking countries. It covers key topics such as global trade, leadership, ethics, sustainability, globalization, professional development, interpersonal communications, interview preparation, and CV and cover letter writing. Emphasizing the importance of teamwork and ethical business practices within Spanish-speaking countries, the textbook aims to provide students with relevant and up-to-date information for their business studies.
In addition to being the primary source for Spanish Business I, the textbook will also be used in other courses for students pursuing a degree in Spanish at the University of Arkansas, as well as for students in Sam M. Walton College of Business degree programs. The authors identified a need for a new textbook as the previous one used for Spanish business courses was outdated and expensive.
The Open Educational Resources Team, comprised of staff from University Libraries and the Global Campus, supported the project. Christine Rickabaugh, the open education librarian overseeing the project, explained that OER resources are free to students and users worldwide, making them accessible for teaching, learning, research, and other purposes. Parrilla Recuero and Benton incorporated content from multiple textbooks to ensure the inclusion of relevant topics for conducting business in Spanish, with most resources coming from existing open textbooks and a few pages requiring a licensing fee.
A bachelor’s degree in Spanish can open up various career opportunities, particularly in international business, marketing, and customer service. Proficiency in Spanish is essential for effective communication with Spanish-speaking clients and partners, understanding cultural nuances, and facilitating market expansion into Spanish-speaking regions. Additionally, translation and interpretation tasks require proficiency in Spanish for accurate communication and document handling in global business operations, providing a competitive edge in the global job market, especially when working in Spanish-speaking countries.
Overall, the collaboration between the Spanish instructors, University of Arkansas Libraries, and the Global Campus to create a free, comprehensive textbook for students studying business concepts in Spanish demonstrates a commitment to providing quality education and resources for students pursuing degrees in Spanish and business-related fields. The textbook’s focus on relevant and up-to-date topics, as well as its accessibility through OER, ensures that students have the necessary tools to succeed in their studies and future careers.
