Enhancing Business Communication of BBS Students through ESP Practices: The Role of Intercultural Communicative Competence

Abstract

Background: The integration of intercultural communicative competence (ICC) with English for Specific Purposes (ESP) practices remains underexplored in business communication course for Bachelor of Business Studies at Tribhuvan University (TU). Objectives: This study attempted to explore the challenges that English language teachers face while applying ESP practices to the students of BBS and investigate how ESP practices help in developing ICC of students of BBS at TU. Methods: This descriptive phenomenological study used in-depth interviews with six English language teachers selected purposively from six constituent campuses of TU in Kathmandu Valley. Results: Five major themes emerged syllabus-theory gaps, literary overemphasis, ICC underutilization, technology deficit, and inadequate teacher training. Conclusion: The business communication syllabus of BBS must be restructured to replace literary texts with ESP-aligned, ICC-integrated, AI-enhanced authentic business materials, supported by mandatory teacher training in TBLT and CLIL. Novelty: This study provides empirical evidence on ESP-ICC integration challenges in BBS programs, offering actionable recommendations for curriculum revision at TU.