Biography
Associate Teacher in Spanish at the University of Limerick, coordinating Spanish for Business (Advanced) modules in the first, second, third, and fourth years. Ph.D. research on teaching Spanish for specific purposes through technology, organising projects, and virtual language exchanges with international universities in virtual reality environments. Degree in teaching and MA in Applied Linguistics in the University of Limerick. Main areas of research: Curriculum development in Business language courses (BLS), development of 21st-century skills such as leadership and responsibility, communication, social entrepreneurship, intercultural skills, and environmental awareness. Creating projects involving the use of technology to develop 21st-century skills amongst university students; virtual exchanges, use of virtual reality and augmented reality in the classroom, use of immersive VLEs, etc.Research Interests
Work related to my area of research: Project Sustainable Tourism: Conference: 'A virtual exchange between university students of Tourism and Business: connecting languages and cultures through a sustainable tourism project [TAPP-Virtual exchange]'Conference paper: https://upcommons.upc.edu/handle/2117/348624The aim of this project was to foster awareness about sustainable practices in the area of tourism between business students in the University of Limerick, Ireland, and students of tourism in the university of León, Spain.Project Yes Lab (Youth Entrepreneurship for Society): This project received AHSS research funding and was published in the AHSS newsletter. It was also presented in the '4th International Virtual Exchange Conference (IVEC). The aim of the project was to foster 21st century competencies (linguistic, intercultural, digital and teamwork) while developing social entrepreneurship. Fortes, M. (2022) Language Connectives through immersive virtual exchanges in the Spanish for Business Language Classroom'. 2022 International Virtual Exchange Conference (IVEC), p.27, available: https://iveconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IVEC_2022_Proceedings.pdf
Professional Activities
Award
- 2021 - Teaching Hero Award (National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (T&L) / The Union of Students in Ireland.)