English-medium Research Articles

The use of code glosses in MA dissertations in English and in Italian: A pilot study in an EMI context

Within the English Medium of Instruction (EMI) framework adopted by many European universities, students listen to lectures, present, write, and take exams in English. Research on EMI settings mostly focused on lectures, leaving scant attention to student writing and in particular to the writing of dissertations in the Italian context. This paper addresses this gap by investigating lexico-grammatical occurrences of selected metadiscursive features adopted in the final dissertations of Italian masters’ students in business and economics courses. The dissertations are retrieved from the MoReThesisCorpus, a large digital repository of theses and dissertations at the University of Modena e Reggio Emilia. By paying close attention to reformulations and exemplifications, our findings reveal a developmental interconnection between spoken and written metadiscursive features. This article was published open access under a CC BY licence: https://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0 .

Pengembangan Media Video Animasi Tematik Tema 4 Kewajiban dan Hakku Untuk Siswa Kelas III Sekolah Dasar

Learning media is an important tool in the learning process which functions to achieve learning goals. The lack of availability of interesting learning media in elementary schools causes learning to become monotonous. This research aims to determine the process of developing animated video media and the validity of animated video media. This research method is development research using the 4D model, namely define, design, development and dissemination. The resulting learning media is animated video media for theme 4, my obligations and rights, subtheme 1, my obligations and rights, learning 1. The validity of animated video media received a very valid category without revision, reviewed based on validation results by material experts, language experts and design experts. In the material aspect, the average score was 94.56% in the very valid category, in the language aspect, the average score was 93.33% in the very valid category, and in the design aspect, the average score was 100% in the very valid category.

Digital multimodal composing pedagogy in a university writing course

Abstract Digital multimodal composing (DMC) allows students to mobilize a wide range of multimodal resources to make meaning. While studies in DMC tended to focus on language-learning contexts, few of them examine its use in content-based courses whereby students are proficient L2 users expected to demonstrate understanding of abstract concepts using DMC. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with English-major students who attended a writing course in an English-medium instruction university in Hong Kong, the study investigated how the students’ view of DMC was transformed after exposure to DMC pedagogy. The study findings suggest that students developed an increased awareness of the affordances and constraints of (new media) writing, and they strategically bring in and bridge ‘in-class’ and ‘out-of-class’ digital practices. Students also reported on the opportunities and challenges of DMC pedagogy through reflecting on their DMC experiences. The study proposes suggestions for implementing DMC in diverse teaching and learning contexts.

Using Legitimation Code Theory to explore knowledge building in English medium higher education teaching: methodological challenges and innovations

ABSTRACT This article examines theoretical and methodological issues raised when Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) is used to investigate knowledge-building practices in online and face-to-face teaching environments where English is the medium of instruction (EMI) in non-Anglophone higher education (HE) contexts. The article introduces two dimensions of LCT, Semantics and Autonomy, and demonstrates how “translation devices” were adapted and developed in two studies to analyze lecturers' knowledge-building practices within HE EMI contexts. It then delves into the theoretical and methodological challenges encountered when employing LCT in interdisciplinary studies, alongside other frameworks such as multimodal conversation analysis. Data extracts from the two studies are employed to illustrate the challenges faced and the methodological innovations developed. Methodological implications and potential new directions for the use of LCT in similar problem-situations are discussed, with an emphasis on technological innovation.

Let’s Talk About Writing Support for Plurilingual Graduate Students

Academic writing is an inseparable aspect of graduate school (Holmes et al., 2018) as students’ academic writing is the primary basis for assessment (Turner, 2011). The high-stakes nature of academic writing is magnified for plurilingual students, whose attendance at English medium universities is growing exponentially (Fenton-Smith & Humphreys, 2017). However, there is a scarcity of research that addresses how faculty support writing as an essential practice for plurilingual graduate students, particularly in English-medium universities where English is implicated in structures of power and privilege. Employing a critical analytic collaborative autoethnography (Anderson, 2006; Kempny, 2022) this research uses polyvocal conversations among seven researcher/practitioners to consider the question of how faculty members perceive and respond to the academic writing needs of plurilingual graduate students. Informed by intersectionality (Crenshaw, 2017; Hankivsky, 2014), these conversations illuminate the ways both educator identities and epistemological turns in education theory impact approaches to writing support for plurilingual graduate writers. Importantly, these discussions are implicated in the socio-political contexts of Canadian and Australian universities where systems of inequality act to marginalise plurilingual writers. These contextualised conversations then aim to problematise and revise existent, dominant deficit discourses and pedagogies of writing support for plurilingual students. Findings illuminate the capacity of educators, who are cognisant of their power and place, to generate alternative practices to support plurilingual graduate writers in service of more asset-orientated and inclusive spaces that take advantage of students’ plurilingual repertoires in English-dominant universities.

Professors’ English-only or Multilingual Approaches in English Language Teacher Education at Ecuadorian Universities

Preparing English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers is a key challenge for higher education institutions in countries like Ecuador. This research summary describes the language use practices that university-based English language teacher educators employ when teaching content courses (such as pedagogy and research methods) and explores how these relate to their expressed purposes of teacher education and language ideologies. The convergent mixed-methods design employs survey data from 115 professors from 21 Ecuadorian universities and focus group data from 28 of those professors with various language use approaches. This research is guided by decolonial theory and the Capabilities Approach and by literature on linguistic imperialism, native-speakerism, and multilingualism. Findings extend research on language use from the English teaching field into teacher education and Comparative and International Higher Education research, where exploration of the benefits and drawbacks of English-only versus multilingual approaches are needed given the prevalence of English-medium instruction.

Assessing the impact of pre-lecture reading compliance on lecture comprehension in English-medium instruction courses

This study explores the relationship between pre-lecture reading compliance and lecture comprehension in English-medium instruction (EMI) settings. The primary objective of the research was to investigate the influence of pre-lecture reading compliance on English lecture comprehension, with a secondary aim of identifying factors influencing pre-lecture reading compliance. Data were collected from 258 Taiwanese EMI students in 17 courses. A PLS-SEM model utilizing data from 249 participants evaluated the impact of pre-lecture reading compliance on lecture comprehension, accounting for English listening ability, and examined the role of reading expectancy and value in reading compliance. Additionally, open-ended responses from all 258 participants provided insights into students’ perspectives on factors affecting their reading compliance. Results indicate that academic listening ability had a large effect on lecture comprehension whereas the effect for reading compliance was small. Moreover, academic reading expectancy and value were identified as having only a small effect on pre-lecture reading compliance. Further consideration of EMI reading compliance among EMI instructors and researchers is recommended.

Gender Equality in the “Next Stage” of the “New Age?” Content and Fan Perceptions of English Media Coverage of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup

This article offers an original contribution by examining both the quantity and quality of English print media coverage of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and how fans perceive and respond to this coverage. It is the first longitudinal analysis of media coverage of women’s football in the United Kingdom and compares print media coverage between the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cups. We draw on a content analysis of five English national newspapers and 49 semistructured interviews with fans. We develop new theoretical insights through the development of our framework of the “next stage” of the “new age.” Our findings show media coverage of women’s football has substantially increased, with respectful coverage sustained. The new theme of gender equality made visible several types of inequality, but the media industry failed to acknowledge its own role in reinforcing gender inequalities. Interviewees were critical of the time-limited “revolution” whereby coverage was limited to the duration of the World Cup. To advance gender equality, future media coverage must be sustained, meaningful, and prominent.

Development of Acid-Base Titration Practicum Guide Using Natural Indicators of Butterfly Pea Flowers

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) need to be implemented to create environmentally friendly chemistry learning. This can be done in an acid-base titration experiment using natural indicators of butterfly pea flowers. This research aims to produce a practicum guide for acid-base titrations using natural indicators of butterfly pea flowers that are valid and practicum. The research design uses the ADDIE research design, namely Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. The research results showed that butterfly pea flowers can be used as a natural indicator for acid-base titrations with color changes from pink (acidic condition) to blue (basic condition). The resulting learning media is a practicum guide which has a validity of 92% (very valid) and a practicality level of 88.75% (very practical). This data was analyzed using qualitative and quantitative analysis. The practicum guide developed is valid and practical to use as a practicum learning media in schools.

English for Specific Purposes and Problem-Based Learning: Strengths and Opportunities

In Europe, the internationalization of universities has resulted in the continuous expansion of English Medium Instruction. Despite the potential for acquiring language skills in EMI courses, characterized by authentic communication as L2-medium settings, linguistic education tends to be marginalized in these environments. As a result, the development of disciplinary literacy among students might be compromised. This research aims to explore the incorporation of problem-based activities as a means to create meaningful communication environments within English for Specific Purposes (ESP) settings. These settings focus on language learning, addressing the English language education needs of university students to promote disciplinary literacy and enhance academic skills in English. The study first outlines the connection between problem-solving and interaction in second language learning. Subsequently, it delves into the cognitive processes engendered by problem-solving and their relevance for ESP settings. Finally, an application of a problem-based activity within an ESP framework is presented, offering an illustrative example of how problem-solving and interaction can be integrated into the classroom.

English medium instruction in Ethiopian university mission statements and language policies

AbstractEthiopia, with no colonial language legacy, adopted English medium instruction (EMI) policy with the establishment of its first higher education institution, University College of Addis Ababa, over seven decades ago. Over the last two decades, the country has significantly expanded its higher education institutions (HEIs) to increase skilled human capital that contributes to economic growth and alleviating poverty. The expansion of HEIs has inevitably increased English taught programmes, which means universities must teach entirely through English presenting myriad issues as most students, especially in rural Ethiopia, have limited English proficiency. This study aims to explore higher education policy statements and how these policy statements were interpreted in public universities’ mission statements. The study further examines language support policy for effective implementation of EMI policy. Data gathered from publicly available Ministry of Education and universities’ official websites were analysed using qualitative content analysis. In our analysis we identified two language-relevant key concerns: English language support and internationalisation. The study uncovered a gap in the statements concerning provision of English language support, despite research evidence and government acknowledgement of students’ and teachers’ weaknesses in the language of instruction. The findings of this study call for Ethiopian universities to focus more on improving provision of targeted language support for students experiencing language-related challenges, and for policymakers to rethink monolingual EMI policy, to raise the quality of education in such contexts.

Prevention starts here: effectiveness of substance abuse prevention module among adolescent students in Bengaluru- a quasi experimental study.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured educational module on substance abuse prevention program among adolescents in enhancing their knowledge against substance abuse. A quasi-experimental design was employed involving 120 students (mean age: 14.3±1.03 years, 59.2% boys) from two English medium schools. Participants were exposed to a structured module on substance abuse over a month. The study assessed changes in knowledge through pretest and post-test evaluations. Statistical analyses examined improvements in scores and the relationship between class of study and post-test knowledge scores. The intervention significantly improved students' knowledge about substance abuse (p<0.001) across all measured domains, genders, and classes, with the exception of the 7th class. A positive correlation was found between the class of study and post-test scores (Rs=0.288, p<0.001), indicating that higher classes were associated with greater improvements in knowledge. These findings suggest that the training effectively increased awareness and understanding of substance abuse among participants. The substance abuse prevention program successfully enhanced adolescents' knowledge and equipped them with resilience and coping strategies, thus reducing their vulnerability to peer pressure and substance abuse. Despite the lack of significant improvement in the 7th class, the overall positive outcomes underscore the importance of implementing such educational interventions to foster healthy development and well-being among students. Further research is encouraged to explore the specific barriers to effectiveness in younger classes and to refine program content accordingly.

Analysis of the Use of Graphic, Audiovisual and Computer Media in Indonesian Language Learning in Elementary Schools

This research aims to describe the use of learning media in Indonesian language learning used by teachers and students at SDN Jati 2 Masaran. There is an urgency for learning media in elementary schools in the current digital era. First, using media can create a special attraction in learning. Interesting learning media can provide a pleasant learning experience for effective learning. Learning media can help students understand concepts more easily and quickly. Third, increase student participation. This can increase student involvement and participation in learning. Fourth, increase student creativity. This research method uses a qualitative descriptive research type. Research data comes from observations and interviews with data sources of students and teachers in elementary schools. Data collection techniques through observation, interviews and documentation. The results of the research show that at SDN Jati 2 Masaran teachers have used graphic media in the form of whiteboards, KBBI, puzzles, and charts and audiovisual media in the form of tape recorders, speakers and radio, as well as computer-based media in the form of powerpoint, web-based, and applications. in supporting Indonesian language learning.

A longitudinal study on lecture listening difficulties and self-regulated learning strategies across different proficiency levels in EMI higher education

Abstract The absence of language admission thresholds in many English medium instruction (EMI) university programmes has led to marked heterogeneity in students’ English proficiency upon entry. These students may face diverse challenges when listening to academic lectures, adopt different strategies to cope, and undergo varying trajectories in listening over time. To unpack such complexities, this study adopts a longitudinal mixed-methods design, comprising questionnaire responses from 412 freshmen and semi-structured interviews with 34 students at the beginning, halfway, and end of their first semester studying at an EMI university in China. Students were divided into high, medium, and low proficiency cohorts based on their listening placement test scores. Multilevel modelling analyses highlight that students entering with lower proficiency reported sharper reductions in listening challenges over time. Interview findings also reveal that these students engaged in more industrious self-regulated listening practice outside of the classroom than their highly proficient peers. Regardless of disparities in students’ proficiency, all students developed a higher tolerance towards ‘non-native’ teacher accents and shifted attitudes towards handling disciplinary terminology. The findings offer pedagogical implications for supporting different groups of students’ needs for successful transitions into English-medium tertiary education.

English medium instruction in emerging contexts: An editorial introduction to the special issue

The burgeoning field of English Medium Instruction (EMI) has witnessed a significant increase in empirical studies yet remains largely insular and under-theorised. This special issue aims to address these gaps by spotlighting EMI in emerging contexts and interrogating its theoretical underpinnings. Comprising 10 empirical studies across diverse geographical and educational settings, this special issue, edited by Heath Rose, Samantha Curle, and Dogan Yuksel, offers a multifaceted examination of EMI's impact on language proficiency, academic achievement, and pedagogical practices. These studies contribute valuable insights into the complexities of implementing EMI. They also reveal a predominant focus on applied linguistics, often to the exclusion of other disciplinary perspectives. This editorial introduction critiques the current state of EMI research, calling for greater interdisciplinary collaboration and theorisation. It concludes with an urgent call for future research that is not only geographically diverse but also critically and theoretically robust. The overarching aim is to broaden the scope of EMI research, particularly in the face of the unrestricted Englishisation of global education systems.

Students’ Perceived Challenges and Learning Strategies of English Medium of Instruction in the International Nursing Program – A Descriptive Quantitative Study

Achieving international recognition has motivated the universities in Indonesia to shift to international programs. An unmistakable and notable initiative is the adoption of English as the Medium of Instruction (EMI), which has elicited both positive and negative responses. This study investigates the obstacles and educational approaches of nursing students when utilising EMI. The study aims to examine students' perceived problems related to language and learning in an EMI context, as well as the techniques they use. The participants of this study are 176 Indonesian students majoring in Nursing. The participants were asked to fill in the survey questionnaires on the challenges they face and the strategies they use in EMI learning. The collected data were analysed using SPSS quantitatively. The major findings are that most students encountered a moderate level of language and learning challenges and sought L2 support strategies in coping with their language and learning challenges. There is less pressure on the students’ side as no native-speaker teacher is involved in establishing the EMI program. This study concludes that the students are ready for the EMI program. The study further suggests the potential of supporting the students through the concurrent support model by Macaro’s language support model.

Displays of co-constructed content knowledge using translanguaging in breakout and main sessions of online EMI classrooms

There is a growing research interest in the dynamics of English Medium Instruction (EMI) university classroom interactions in non-Anglophone contexts. In the present study, we track the procedural unfolding of content knowledge co-construction across multiple online activities in an online EMI university classroom. Using Multimodal Conversation Analysis to examine the screen recordings of an undergraduate course on Educational Sciences at a state EMI university in Türkiye, we show how translanguaging plays a central role in enabling the participants’ displays of content knowledge by deploying multilingual (English, Turkish, the focal EMI university jargon) and multimodal (i.e., coordinating verbal and multimodal materials on the screen) resources across four phases of the online class, namely (i) lecturer talk, (ii) pre-task, (iii) task engagement in breakout rooms, and (iv) sharing outputs in the main room. The study brings implications for higher education EMI classroom interactions by describing the multilingual, multifaceted, multimodal, and sequential organization of screen-recorded online environments.

English Medium Instruction at Salahaddin University in Kurdistan Region of Iraq

The aim of this research is to learn more about tertiary students' perspectives of English-Medium Instruction (EMI) in Kurdistan Region-Iraq, in relation to language skills, language beliefs, and language administration. The study revealed that students had a favorable attitude towards the idea that EMI could boost their English language skills and career prospects, but encountering difficulties in comprehending technical terms and the teacher's proficiency in the English language. They firmly believed that EMI could expand their career choices and generate more employment opportunities by enhancing their English language skills. The study was replicated in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) using diverse student populations. In addition, it suggests providing students with designated assignments and engaging materials to cultivate their self-sufficiency in education.

Academic writing in English: Lessons from an EMI-program in Japan

As international students and English-medium Instruction (EMI) programs increase, Japanese universities need to adapt their programs to fulfill the needs of these students. One often overlooked area is academic writing in English. This paper discusses an action research study examining the challenges of providing formal academic writing support for English-speaking students in an EMI-program at one large private university in Tokyo. The study utilizes a participatory action research approach (Burns, 2009). The study attempted to examine what aspects of academic writing are these students most confident and most insecure about, and what aspects of the writing course did the students feel are most useful for them in preparing them for further academic writing, and how this EMI program can help students overcome these challenges. The data comes from a multiple choice and open answer questionnaire as well as focus group interviews. Suggestions on how to create and implement successful academic writing courses in an EMI context, based on the lessons learned from this course from the administrative point-of-view as well as both from faculty and students’ perspectives will be provided to conclude.

Linguistic and non-linguistic factors impacting EMI academic success: a longitudinal study

AbstractThis study explored changes in English language proficiency and several non-linguistic factors during four years of English medium instruction (EMI) in two academic disciplines in a Turkish university setting. Moreover, it also investigated whether changes (if any) had a predictive impact on the academic success of EMI students. In addition, potential differences between disciplines were also investigated. The participants were 241 EMI students from Business Administration (n = 117) and Mechanical Engineering (n = 124) programmes. Our findings revealed that in addition to the language proficiency scores, various non-linguistic factors, including self-efficacy, ideal L2 self, motivation, self-regulation skills, and anxiety levels, changed throughout EMI education. However, only English proficiency and instrumental motivation emerged as positively significant predictors of EMI success.Our findings also revealed that the increase in participants' intrinsic motivation scores was a significant negative predictor of EMI success. These results are discussed and implications are given regarding the impact of linguistic and non-linguistic factors in EMI contexts.