University students’ ability to identify and apply leisure concepts in an EMI class in South Korea : Analyzing writings about the movie A River Runs through It

Abstract

As developed countries age, there are fewer students to matriculate to college campuses. One way of filling seats is by recruiting international students. These students can be economically beneficial as they often pay higher tuition costs and contribute to local economies through living expenses (OECD, 2020). A growing trend making non-Anglophone countries attractive to these students is English as a method of instruction (EMI) classes. EMI courses teach subject matter in classes such as business, tourism, and international relations in English, even though it may not be the native language of any of the students in the classroom. In order to provide satisfactory learning environments for these students, it is necessary to utilize varied and contemporary teaching methods. One such method is the incorporation of movies in order to illustrate key topics and aid in retention. This exploratory paper analyzes Korean and international student reaction papers in an EMI Introduction to Leisure class at “K” University in South Korea to investigate students’ understanding of the lecture material and how they apply their knowledge to scenes from the film A River Runs through It. The results of this study can serve as a guide to how to reinforce key concepts for instructors of EMI courses, particularly in leisure and tourism.