Adaptive Competencies in Fluid Times: A Cross-Disciplinary ESP Project on Global Energy and Climate Risk

Allani, Samira; Chaves Yuste, Beatriz

doi:10.22055/rals.2026.52589.3874

Adaptive Competencies in Fluid Times: A Cross-Disciplinary ESP Project on Global Energy and Climate Risk

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Samira Allani ¹

Beatriz Chaves Yuste ²

¹ Department of Applied Linguistics to Science and Technology, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Navales, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

² Department of Applied Linguistics to Science and Technology, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

10.22055/rals.2026.52589.3874

Abstract

In a context of ecological, geopolitical and technological uncertainty, higher education must help students develop adaptive competencies for complex professional environments. This study examines a cross-disciplinary English for Specific Purposes (ESP) intervention implemented at two Spanish universities with undergraduate students in Tourism (n = 37) and Mathematics (n = 31). Over six two-hour sessions, both cohorts participated in a World Issues Problem-Solving Project focused on global energy and climate risks. The intervention combined problem-based learning, multimodal literacy and the critical use of generative AI (GenAI) as a bounded research assistant during the initial stages of inquiry. Data from post-intervention questionnaires and student artefacts indicate a positive overall evaluation, particularly regarding project design, perceived content learning, critical source use and AI literacy. The findings suggest that cross-disciplinary ESP projects may be perceived as supporting communicative, critical and ethically grounded competencies relevant to tourism and STEM contexts.

Keywords

English for Specific Purposes

Problem-Based Learning

Generative AI

Multimodal Literacy.