Dra.  Fernandez Cordoba, Ana Isabel

Research Interests

My research focuses on English-Medium Instruction (EMI), English for Specific Purposes (ESP), and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) across a variety of academic disciplines. I am particularly interested in how targeted ESP and EAP tuition can enhance students’ academic and professional communication skills while also fostering intercultural competence, helping learners collaborate effectively in diverse, multilingual settings.

I also explore virtual exchange as a pedagogical approach to support these goals. By connecting students from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds through structured online collaboration, virtual exchange offers authentic opportunities to integrate language learning, subject-specific content, and intercultural understanding in meaningful, real-world contexts.

Professional Experience

• Associate Professor, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Girona (2018–present)

• English Teacher, Official Language Schools (2004–present)

• English for Academic Purposes Tutor, Pre-sessional Course, University of Bristol (2018)

• English Lecturer, Physiotherapy Degree Program, University School of Health and Sport (EUSES) (2013–2014)

• Collaborating Lecturer in English, Open University of Catalonia (2012–2013)

• Secondary School English Language Teacher (2001–2003)

Education

• PhD in Applied Linguistics, University of Lleida

• Master’s in Teaching English for Academic Purposes, University of Glasgow

• Master’s in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, University of Alcalá

• Postgraduate Diploma in Management and Organization of Educational Institutions, University of Barcelona

• Bachelor’s in Sociology (Education and Culture pathway), Autonomous University of Barcelona

Publications

• Fernández-Córdoba, A., & Mancho-Bares, G (2025). Language matters in EMI: Language-related episodes in nursing PBL classrooms. Journal of English for Academic Purposes. ISSN 1475-1685. Language matters in EMI: Language related episodes in nursing PBL classrooms - ScienceDirect

• Fernández Córdoba, A. I. (2021). Review of The secret life of English-medium instruction in higher education: Examining microphenomena in context, edited by D. Block & S. Khan. ESP Today, 9(1), 152–155. https://www.esptodayjournal.org/pdf/june_2021/book_review/2_Ana_Isabel_Fernandez_Cordoba.pdf

• Fernández-Córdoba, A. (2019). Bristol: A summer teaching academic English. APAC ELT Journal, 90, 21–25.

• Fernández-Córdoba, A., & Parker, F. (2017). EAP: A challenge for teachers and learners. APAC ELT Journal, 85, 39–47.