Reflecting on the experiences of staff and students going here, there (online), and back again on an English for Specific Purposes programme

Abstract

Many programs taught in 2020-2022 under emergency then planned online conditions are returning to face-to-face or blended teaching. This article narrates and reflects on student experiences before, during, and after the pandemic, in face-to-face, emergency online, planned online, and blended modes, in an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) program with a special focus on building cultural connections. It uses student voice from surveys and semi-structured interviews and compares our experiences with international ones. It relates students’ feelings that while language and cultural learning aims were achieved by the online cohorts, the quality and amount of these achievements were negatively impacted by the online environment, the accessibility and reliability of equipment and connectivity, and digital literacy. The article concludes with reflections based on four years of delivery, including the 2023 face-to-face program. It also gives suggestions about materials and training for staff and students when preparing courses in future whether online, face-to-face, or blended.