Digital tools for a broad data-driven learning approach in mixed linguistic-proficiency ESP courses

Addressing the limited exploration of Data-Driven Learning (DDL) with mixed linguistic proficiencies in English for Specific Purposes (ESP), this study proposes the application of a broad DDL (BDDL) approach in two English for business and tourism courses. The information, examined through classroom activities, pre-, mid-, and post-tests, alongside polls and interviews, largely points to positive outcomes. Some significant differences are primarily related to learners’ linguistic profiles, such as lower-proficiency participants’ greater challenge with linguistic analysis. A main observation is that BDDL seems to work well with different types of linguistic levels and to accommodate lower-proficiency learners better than other DDL tools.