English-Medium Instruction in the Education Faculty of Málaga University: Students' profiles

Abstract

This paper seeks to attain a better knowledge of the students that have joined the first partially-taught-in-English degree course in one of the six groups of the Bachelor’s Degree in Primary Education in the University of Malaga. The aim is to comprehend their different profiles so that professors can cater for their needs. To achieve this objective, as part of an innovation project led by a multidisciplinary team, different questionnaires were designed, the first of them to get information about their personal data and English training. It was taken by first year students, for two consecutive years (2014, 2015). The results of this questionnaire revealed that, as no specific requirements were asked, and only English level indications were given, we have to work with an heterogeneous group of people, which results in a multi-level proficiency, very demanding group, to deal with. However, comparing the results from one year to the next, we noticed that there has been an improvement in almost every parameter we were interested in assessing, and the participants of the developing innovation project are committed to evaluate their needs and provide the necessary support that teachers and students deserve.