Medium Of Instruction Research Articles

“PERCEPTIONS AND CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY TEACHERS WHO ARE CURRENTLY STRUGGLING TO IMPLEMENT ENGLISH AS A MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION AT DENAU INSTITUTE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND PEDAGOGY”

This study investigates the perceptions and challenges encountered by teachers tasked with implementing English as a medium of instruction at the field of Entrepreneurship and Management in Denau Institute of Entrepreneurship and Pedagogy. Amidst the global push for English language proficiency, many educational institutions, particularly in non-native English-speaking contexts, face hurdles in adopting English as the primary medium of instruction. Through qualitative research methods, including interviews and surveys, this study explores the perspectives of teachers navigating this transition. Findings reveal a range of challenges, including linguistic barriers, pedagogical adjustments, and cultural considerations. Moreover, the study sheds light on teachers' perceptions regarding the effectiveness and feasibility of English-medium instruction, providing valuable insights for educational policymakers and administrators.

Students’ Perceptions of English Medium Instruction (EMI) in Secondary School Bilingual Classes: A Case Study

In contemporary international secondary education in Indonesia, English-Medium Instruction (EMI) has gained popularity and expanded into a rising global phenomenon. Recognizing this phenomenon and the importance of English language skills for students from an early age, this study aims to investigate the perceptions of junior high school students in bilingual classes on the use of EMI in schools. A qualitative research design in the form of a case study was adopted in this study. It involved thirteen (13) junior high school students (2 males, 11 females) of two bilingual class programs at a private junior high school in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Data were collected through questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and an FGD (forum group discussion) session. The findings indicate that all participants show positive perceptions of the EMI implementation in terms of the importance of EMI for Learning, the importance of EMI for career, and the use of EMI associated with the preservation of tradition issue. This study also reveals the obstacles that are often faced in the use of EMI such as a lack of understanding of technical terms in the content course and teachers' low proficiency in English. Therefore, it is expected that this study will offer recommendations from the perspectives of EFL practitioners in order to optimize the advantages of the EMI policy in an EFL context.

Alignment between Course Learning Outcomes and Assessments: An Analysis within Linguistic Programs at a University in Vietnam

Internationally, the trend of student-centered learning in higher education has emphasized the importance of aligning student learning outcomes with corresponding assessment methods. This study is conducted at a university in Vietnam by investigating 32 sets of syllabi and test specifications varied from English Language programs to English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) courses. The findings reveal that a lack of precision in verb usage within learning outcomes can introduce ambiguity, potentially hindering the effectiveness of both teaching and assessment. The study also highlights the significance of balancing the quantities of requirements within a single learning outcome to foster a positive and manageable learning experience. As a result, it is believed that a careful selection of verbs in writing learning outcomes, coupled with a balanced approach to requirements, can contribute to a more coherent and effective curriculum within linguistic programs.

Developing a multimodal corpus of L2 academic English from an English medium of instruction university in China

This paper describes the rationale for and design of a new multimodal corpus of L2 academic English from a Sino-British university in China: the Corpus of Chinese Academic Written and Spoken English (cawse). The unique context for this corpus provides language samples from Chinese students who use English as a second language (L2) in a preliminary-year programme, which prepares students for academic studies at university level, at a campus where English is used as the Medium of Instruction (emi). Data were collected from a variety of settings, including written (i.e., exam scripts and essays) and spoken assessments (i.e., interviews and presentations), covering the full range of grades awarded to those language samples, as well as from student group interactions during teaching and learning activities. The multimodal nature of the corpus is realised through the availability of selected audio/video recordings accompanied by the orthographically transcribed text. This open-access corpus is designed to help shed light on Chinese students' academic L2 English language use in a variety of written, spoken and multimodal discourses.

Leading Schools During a Global Crisis: Kazakhstani School Leaders’ Perspectives and Practices

This paper comprehensively examines how school leaders in Kazakhstan managed schools during the COVID-19 school closures. An online survey was conducted with 1,298 school leaders, representing 17.5% of all Kazakhstani schools. Anchored in the concept of crisis leadership, the instrument measured school leaders’ views regarding teachers’ digital competence, their support toward teachers in digital pedagogy, as well as their practices in communicating with parents and teacher autonomy and monitoring. The results of bivariate tests indicate that a significant proportion of schools offered teachers online professional development opportunities to improve their digital instruction, with school location and size influencing the level of training in digital pedagogy received by teachers. Notably, school leaders’ confidence in their teachers’ ability to teach effectively online increased significantly after receiving training in digital pedagogy. School leaders also maintained regular communication with parents, but this increased their workload, particularly for women and urban school leaders. Most school leaders allowed teachers to choose online platforms and revise curriculum content, while also monitoring teachers’ attendance and observing online lessons. These practices varied based on the school’s medium of instruction. This study significantly contributes to crisis leadership by examining practices during school closures in addressing teachers’ digital competence, communication challenges, and teacher autonomy, with insights on variations by school type, location, and leaders’ gender. The study’s findings have significant implications for post-pandemic school leadership, emphasizing equity in professional development opportunities for teachers, effective communication with stakeholders, and striking the right balance between teacher autonomy and monitoring.

Understanding novice Chinese EFL teachers’ beliefs and practice in using English as a medium of instruction

This study explores the beliefs and practices of six novice Chinese EFL teachers in international secondary schools using English as the medium of instruction (EMI). Participants, having overseas educational experiences and an average IELTS score above 6.4, provided insights through semi-structured interviews conducted via WeChat. The findings reveal the complexity and diversity of their beliefs about the role of English and EMI in teaching, shaped by their personal and professional experiences. Challenges faced include large class sizes, limited professional expertise, and varying English proficiency levels among students, which significantly impact their teaching efficacy. The study highlights the need for linguistic support and subject matter expertise to foster EFL teachers’ professional development and enhance EMI teaching efficacy. Implications for pedagogical practices suggest the necessity of supportive measures for novice EFL teachers to navigate the complexities of EMI environments effectively.

Challenges in the Implimentation of Mother Tohgue Education in Nigerian Schools: The Way Forward

The paper focuses on the use of mother tongue as a medium of instruction at pre-primary and primary levels of education is very vital for educational development of our children. Researches have shown that the child learns better and quicker his mother tongue is used in instruction than using a foreign language (English). This paper discusses the provision made by national policy on education (NPE) on the relevance and importance of mother tongue in education. It also highlights the benefit of mother tongue as a medium of instruction at both pr-primary and primary levels. In addition, the challenges of implementation of mother tongue education are not left un discussed, the effective way to the implementation of mother tongue education in Nigeria, finally followed by the conclusion

Assessment of Students’ Speaking Skills using the Competent Speaker Speech Rubric

The importance of English language learning for students worldwide, especially in countries where English serves as the medium of instruction, cannot be overstated. However, in educational institutions in Pakistan, appears to be an overemphasis on accuracy at the expense of fluency. As a result, students face challenges when communicating in English as their second language. The present study aims to assess the speaking proficiency of students who studied English II at the University of Swat, utilizing a sample comprising 65 students from two intact classes. A quantitative research design was employed to gather data, and students' presentations were observed using the Competent Speaker Speech Rubric. The results indicated that students' proficiency in five competencies, namely providing relevant supporting material, usage of suitable language, incorporation of vocal variety, usage of an effective pattern to present a topic and display of proper articulation, pronunciation and grammar, were below the satisfactory level. On a positive note, students surpassed satisfactory standards in three competencies, specifically selecting and refining a topic, effectively conveying a thesis or specific purpose, and employing physical and nonverbal cues to enhance verbal communication. The present study has significant implications for instructors, suggesting them using rubrics as valuable grading tools to evaluate students effectively.

To Explore the Practice of Translingual Pedagogies for Second Language Teaching in Multilingual Classrooms: Students' Perspective

In a multilingual classroom where students have diverse linguistic backgrounds, teaching in the English language is very challenging, especially when the medium of instruction is English or a second language. There are a number of research studies focused on this linguistic issue. One of the emerging strategies to deal with multilingual students is translanguaging where students can build their own repertoire of language to make and build meaning. This study will focus on the student’s perspective about translingual pedagogy. The questionnaire will be used to investigate if the students were given the chances of translingual strategies, and effective they thought those strategies were. The observations will help to get the data from another angle. The results provide the data that students are mostly in favor of the translingual strategies yet they are not provided much chance to use the native language.

A Study on Student Engagement among MBA Graduates

This study aims to understand the moderating role of demographic and behavioural variables on student engagement among MBA graduates. Utrech Work Engagement Scale for Students (UWES-S) was used to assess the student engagement. Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis test were applied to find out the moderating role of the demographic and behavioural factors. It was found out that gender, medium of instruction at school level, frequency of late coming and interaction level in the class discussions had an impact over student engagement, and variables like family monthly income and the type of occupation of the parents did not impact the student engagement.

Emerging Trends and Issues in English Language Teaching: A Bibliometric Analysis

English language has been considered a lingua franca and used as a medium of instruction in Pakistan. The English language has been taught with traditional methods of teaching, which fail to develop language competency among learners. The study has been designed to analyze Pakistan's emerging English teaching trends based on available literature. The data has been collected by secondary literature published in various research journals. The articles were selected by inclusion and exclusion criteria by searching with key words of English language teaching. We then selected various articles, read them, and used them as a resource. For this purpose, the content analysis was used by Braun and Clark (2006) by focusing on the content of the paper. It has been found that there needs to be more technology in language teaching and technological resources for teaching purposes, along with a shortage of language teaching skills and professional development of the teachers in English language teaching. Using technology in the classroom is recommended, adopting multi-model learning and communicative language teaching.

Challenges of Learning in Second Language among South African School Learners with Developmental Language Disorder

Language in education plays a critical role in effective teaching and learning worldwide. This study aimed to explore the challenges of learning in a second language among secondary school learners with developmental language disorder (DLD). The study also unveils strategies used by professionals to support learners and learners’ attitudes towards support. The study participants were learners (n = 12), teachers (n = 5), a speech Language therapist, and an educational psychologist. A qualitative research approach was utilised employing a case study as the research design. Data generation sources included non-participatory observations, interviews, and focus group discussions. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Findings indicated that learning in a second language as the medium of instruction posed challenges for learners with DLD. They struggled with comprehension, reading, and word recognition of learning content. Teachers indicated that they used strategies such as remedial lessons and giving learners more reading material to enhance their vocabulary and narrative skills. They also referred learners to other professionals for further assistance. Parental involvement is also encouraged in support of learners. However, one of the factors limiting learners’ support is learners’ attitudes. Learners’ attitudes towards support may be attributed to limited awareness of DLD. Hence, there is a need to raise awareness of DLD among the learners. An in-depth course on special education in secondary teacher training programmes is necessary to further equip teachers with strategies to enhance inclusive classrooms. The promotion of local languages as a medium of instruction must be highly prioritised, even at a secondary level of education.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AT SECONDARY SCHOOL AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN EMI HIGHER EDUCATION

EMI became an educational policy in Kazakhstan and its benefits are not arguable. Although EMI state is in action challenges emerge on the way. Therefore, continuous research in this field is needed for educated decisions on all levels of education. Considering higher education level interrelated with others, schooling as a previous step might have an impact on it. This article investigates the correlation between the academic performance of undergraduate students in English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) programs and their language of instruction during secondary school. The primary objective is to determine whether studying in English during secondary education confers an advantage to EMI undergraduates. By utilizing administrative data obtained from a selective private EMI university in Kazakhstan (n=6.980) and conducting t-test analyses, the study reveals that students who studied in EMI secondary schools perform better academically in their EMI university studies. The implications of these findings on policy are discussed. Keywords: English-medium instruction, higher education, academic achievement, EMI, trilingual education.

Examining Chinese teachers’ emotional vulnerability of teaching international students in an English medium instruction programme

Despite the fact that a growing number of studies have begun to focus on stakeholders' emotions in English medium instruction (EMI) settings, little is known, particularly about teachers' emotional vulnerability in EMI teaching. Situating teachers' emotional vulnerability as a sociocultural and ideological construct, this study seeks to investigate Chinese EMI teachers' emotional vulnerability of teaching international students in Southwest China. Based on a larger critical sociolinguistic ethnography, the findings reveal a slew of social, ideological, institutional, and personal factors that mediate Chinese EMI teachers' emotional vulnerability, indicating that their emotional vulnerability is largely influenced by the discourses of neoliberalism and performativity, which are dominated by the ideology of English hegemony, top-down evaluation mechanisms, and power relations. Simultaneously, Chinese EMI teachers' emotional vulnerability also can be transformed into agencies for possible alternatives. The paper concludes with some practical implications for mitigating the negative effects of emotional vulnerability on EMI teachers. The article contributes to raise a greater recognition of teachers' emotional vulnerability in EMI higher education contexts by sparking a critical discussion about how to promote the awareness of stakeholders’ emotional vulnerability and well being in policy making and curriculum design.

High School Aetas’ Course Experience: Benchmark for Streamlining Curricular Program Management

Many of the Aeta students in the province are included in mainstream classrooms. As this causes the Indigenous some difficulty coping, the study analyzed four high schools regarding the course experience of 162 of their Aeta students. The researcher used a survey that he, through referenced studies, localized and translated—”Survey on Aetas’ High School Course Experience.” The survey yielded the most pronounced needs of Aetas—starting lessons with Aetas’ prior knowledge, school-based Indigenous centers, indigenized learning content, and more understandable media of instruction. The study used quantitative and descriptive, using a questionnaire to quantify the Aetas’ assessment of their high school experience with non-Indigenous classmates, teachers, and administrators. The study’s resulting discussion and conclusion suggested improvements through particularized versions of programs that could center on Inclusiveness Training for the teachers; school-based Indigenous Centers; the inclusion of indigenous knowledge in lessons; implementation and consistent management of school services and events that reflect inclusive on-campus services; generation of livelihood programs and on-the-job trainings that are mindful of the job-readiness of the Aetas; content training that is coupled with motivational counseling; the integration of technology that democratizes the access to information for all, with no exclusion against the non-mainstream.

The effectiveness of English Medium Instruction in primary education: evidence from Ethiopia

ABSTRACT The impact of English Medium Instruction (EMI) on educational outcomes in resource constrained countries is underexplored. We exploit a random distribution of EMI in Ethiopia’s primary schools and use an IV-2SLS strategy to identify its effects. We find that EMI undermines learning outcomes in Mathematics and increases verbal skills. Countries with limited resources and lacking appropriate pedagogic solutions in their educational systems should carefully consider its consequences before adopting it.

Techniques Used by Primary Teachers when Using English as Medium of Instruction in Rubavu District, Rwanda

Rwanda is an endoglossic country where Kinyarwanda is the first language and mother tongue of Rwandans. Since English was implemented as Medium of instruction (MoI), most teachers with Kinyarwanda and French background get challenges due to teaching in a new language. They had a lower level of proficiency in English and shortage of teaching resources. This study aimed at investigating techniques used by Primary teachers when teaching in English as MoI and its impacts on learners’ academic performance of many other subjects which are taught through English. The study was conducted in Rubavu District, Rwanda. The entire target population was 300 people comprised of teachers and head teachers. The researchers sampled 62 persons. Purposive sampling technique was used to sample 10 primary schools according to their geographical location and 10 head teachers respectively. The selection of teachers used stratified sampling technique for 52 teachers, where two strata were considered namely new teachers and more experienced teachers. In data collection, the researchers used questionnaire for teachers and interview guide for head teachers. Both descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used when analyzing the findings. The key findings of 100% (52) showed that they used teaching aids and oral activities. 13.4% (7) of the respondents strongly disagreed that use of code switching for teachers facilitate them as speakers to change linguistic code that maintain or destroy interpersonal relationships when teachers teach in English. Amongst techniques used by primary teachers were, stories in English, English songs, games, code switching, role play and use of charts, pictures and books as teaching aids. However, the teachers did not use poem recitation, impromptu speech, classroom presentations and group discussions when teaching their subjects in English. The study concluded that teaching techniques are still paramount to facilitate both teacher and learner’s betterment of the academic performance in all subjects that are taught in English as MoI. The researchers drew some recommendations to different educational stakeholders such as policy makers including government, ministry of education and many other Educational stakeholders to intensify the in service-trainings on English proficiency to the teachers as their second language with aim of empowering them to be familiar with English and interact with pupils in English through role plays and dialogues. The policy makers have to offer teachers different facilities including teaching aids and other resources to support them when teaching in English as a MoI.

Charting the Landscape of English-Medium Business Education in Oman: Insights into Lecturer Perspectives on Teaching Approaches, Pedagogy, and Reflective Practices

This study delves into the challenges faced by business studies lecturers in Oman's English-medium business programs, brought about by the recent shift towards adopting English as the medium of instruction. These challenges span linguistic barriers, cultural disparities, and varying student language proficiencies. The study explores the strategies lecturers employ to overcome these obstacles and assesses the effectiveness of these strategies in fostering positive learning outcomes. Regression and correlation analyses use a quantitative research design to quantify the relationship between challenges and strategies. The findings offer valuable insights for curriculum development, faculty training, and pedagogical support, enhancing teaching quality and students' readiness for the global business environment.

Collaborative Professional Development in English Medium Instruction

In recent years, the need for focused student‑centred teaching in general, and greater and higher quality interaction in particular, has been widely recognized.However, for this to occur in the field of EMI, it is believed that teachers need to undertake some re‑examination of their teaching approaches and/or professional development. The present study carried out in Italy by means of a data‑driven research protocol aims to investigate and improve the professional development of EMI teachers. Results and conclusions will hopefully contribute to further enrich the knowledge‑base of researchers and practitioners working in the field.

Re-thinking the Future of the English Preparatory Program in the Context of Higher Education in Kuwait

This paper examines the complex role of English within the context of Kuwait's higher education. The role of English as a mediator between Kuwait and the Western world has catalyzed the rise of institutions offering 'American-style' education across the region, leading to the proliferation of courses delivered in English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI). Such institutions have adopted a monolingual policy with the intention of enhancing students' career opportunities through proficiency in English. At the same time, an 'English only' discourse seems to negatively affect local knowledge, language, and culture, leading to their marginalization. This study highlights the tensions between the global appeal of English for job market readiness and the local cultural and linguistic realities that are marginalized by an English-medium instructional policy. The article sets out to examine the dominant monolingual discourse at the English Preparatory Program (EPP) at one university in Kuwait, henceforth referred to as 'the university' . The study identifies several concerns, including the impact of globalization in promoting the misguided belief in English as the sole avenue to success, the cultural and linguistic disconnect in the curriculum, and the inadequacy of westernized teaching approaches. By drawing on theories of postmodernism and postcolonialism, this paper proposes strategies to disrupt colonial and neo-colonial frameworks within the EPP and suggests a more balanced approach to English language teaching that values both global and local perspectives.