Language Learning And Use In English Medium Higher Education

This book critically refines and adds depth to current understandings and practices in EAP (English for Academic Purposes) and EMI (English-Medium Instruction), using empirical research examining the experiences of English language learning and use of undergraduate and postgraduate international students in the UK. The author illuminates the language learning that takes place in and around English-medium higher education settings, both formally and informally, with a specific focus on courses with a creative or professional practice orientation. Drawing on theoretical insights from socio-cultural Second Language Acquisition, this volume capitalises on the synergies between applied linguistics and higher education research to paint a richer picture of the interactions facilitating student growth as confident and competent communicators in globalised academic and professional settings. Considering the broader implications of language development initiatives, this volume will be of interest to students and scholars of applied linguistics, English as a Second Language and second language acquisition.

Ernesto Macaro brings together a wealth of research on the rapidly expanding phenomenon of English Medium Instruction. Against a backdrop of theory, policy documents, and examples of practice, he weaves together research in both secondary and tertiary education, with a particular focus on the key stakeholders involved in EMI: the teachers and the students. Whilst acknowledging that the momentum of EMI is unlikely to be diminished, and identifying its potential benefits, the author raises questions about the ways it has been introduced and developed, and explores how we can arrive at a true cost–benefit analysis of its future impact. “This state-of-the-art monograph presents a wide-ranging, multi-perspectival yet coherent overview of research, policy, and practice of English Medium Instruction around the globe. It gives a thorough, in-depth, and thought-provoking treatment of an educational phenomenon that is spreading on an unprecedented scale.” Guangwei Hu, National Institute of Education, Singapore Additional online resources are available at www.oup.com/elt/teacher/emi Ernesto Macaro is Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Oxford and is the founding Director of the Centre for Research and Development on English Medium Instruction at the university. Oxford Applied Linguistics Series Advisers: Anne Burns and Diane Larsen-Freeman

This collection brings together insights from research and scholars’ practical experience on the role of language and language use in teacher practices at the university level in EMI contexts, offering global perspectives across diverse educational settings. The volume considers the language-related practices, processes and ways of thinking implemented in EMI contexts as teachers and students co-construct meaning through interaction while also situating these observations within the wider educational policies of institutions, societal norms and contextual pedagogies. The book highlights both the diversity and commonalities of the challenges and opportunities in enhancing student experience in different EMI contexts, drawing on international perspectives spanning South America, Europe and Asia. In so doing, the volume offers a comprehensive portrait of the current realities of the EMI experience at the university level, empowering stakeholders to critically reflect upon and adapt their classroom strategies to their own realities and chart new directions for research in the field. The book will be of particular interest to scholars interested in issues in English-medium instruction, applied linguistics, language policy and language education, as well as those currently teaching in EMI contexts.

Provides a ground-breaking attempt to unite discussions on the pedagogical implications of the global spread of English, and lobby for change.

This volume explores the inner-workings of English-medium instruction (EMI) in higher education (HE) at two universities. After an introductory chapter that sets the scene and provides an essential background, there are four empirically based chapters that draw on data collected from a range of sources at two universities in Catalonia. This includes interviews, audio/video recordings of classes, audio logs produced by both lecturers and students, policy documents, students’ written work, and student presentation evaluation rubrics. These chapters examine the following issues: (1) the choice of either English or Catalan as the medium of instruction by students and lecturers; (2) how students display ambivalence towards EMI, as well as a general lack of enthusiasm towards and an ironic distance from 'doing education’; (3) how students resist EMI by contravening its English monolingual norm, using their L1s in the classroom; and finally, (4) how EMI lecturers on occasion act as English language teachers despite their continued claims to the contrary. The book ends with a concluding chapter that draws all of the strands together around key themes. This book is written for scholars interested in issues surrounding EMI in HE in general, as well as those EMI in HE practitioners who have adopted a reflective approach to their professional practice and wish to know more about the ins and outs of EMI in HE from multiple perspectives. It is a useful resource for MA and PhD students on applied linguistics programmes in which the roles and uses of English in HE worldwide are deemed to be important and worthy of attention. Additionally, this will be relevant to courses or modules focusing on language policy, as well as curriculum issues more broadly and language teaching practice more specifically.

This book provides critical insights into the English-medium instruction (EMI) experiences which have been implemented at a number of universities in countries such as China, Finland, Israel, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain and the USA, which are characterised by differing political, cultural and sociolinguistic situations. In particular, it reflects on the consequences of implementing EMI as an attempt to gain visibility and as a strategy in response to the need to become competitive in both national and international markets. The pitfalls and challenges specific to each setting are analysed, and the pedagogical issues and methodological implications that arise from the implementation of these programmes are also discussed. This volume will serve to advance our awareness about the strategies and tools needed to improve EMI at tertiary level.

This edited book examines the use of English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) in a variety of international higher education contexts. The internationalization of education – indicated by increasing mobility of students, staff and ideas, as well as by policies and programmes put in place to facilitate educational exchange - has led to increasing adoption of English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) for educational purposes. In this book, the authors present the results of empirical research into the implementation, assessment, development and use of EMI programmes in different settings, presenting the case for more structured training of teachers and staff. It will be of interest to second/foreign language teaching and administrative staff, as well as anyone else involved in teaching in English at higher education level.

This volume draws together the viewpoints and research findings of leading scholars and informed local practitioner-researchers throughout Asia-Pacific about the issues and challenges of English as a medium of instruction (EMI) at higher education institutions in that region. Specifically, it addresses four key themes: Macro-level EMI policy and practice; institutional implications for pedagogy; stakeholder perceptions of EMI; and challenges of interpersonal interaction in EMI contexts. The book is among the first to critically examine the emerging global phenomenon of English as a medium of instruction, and the first title to exclusively explore Asia-Pacific tertiary contexts. It will be of particular interest to policy-makers in international education and tertiary educators seeking blueprints for practice, as well as scholars and postgraduate students of English as a lingua franca, English for academic purposes, academic language and learning, and language education in Asia-Pacific.