Presentation Using AI-assisted narrative simulations for teaching economics in the EFL classroom more

Generative AI offers new ways to adapt course materials to students’ language levels and disciplinary needs. In this presentation, I share how I used generative AI (e.g., Gemini for content creation and code generation) in an undergraduate English for Specific Purposes (ESP) economics course for non-native English-speaking students to support their understanding of key economic concepts while remaining sensitive to linguistic challenges. After briefly outlining how AI helped me tailor materials in this context, the talk focuses on how AI allowed me to move beyond traditional, text-based resources. I will demonstrate the development of interactive, scenario-based simulations inspired by narrative adventure games. Developed using AI for both content creation and coding, these simulations allow students to explore economic situations, make policy choices, and immediately see how their decisions affect outcomes, encouraging active engagement and reflection on economic trade-offs. The session will conclude with a live demonstration of the custom-built tool and a discussion of its classroom use. Overall, the presentation aims to show how AI can help make economics more interactive, accessible, and even enjoyable, perhaps challenging its long-standing reputation as the “dismal science,” while offering practical ideas that participants can adapt for their own teaching contexts.