ERIC Number: EJ1203962
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1367-0050
EISSN: N/A
Implementing English-Medium Instruction (EMI) in China: Teachers' Practices and Perceptions, and Students' Learning Motivation and Needs
International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, v22 n2 p107-119 2019
This paper reports on a classroom-based investigation into a tertiary English-medium instruction (EMI) programme in China, with a focus on subject teachers' perceptions and practices in EMI and students' motivation and needs in English learning. Given a lacuna in existing EMI research, it examined how EMI instruction was delivered by subject teachers and how English learning should be facilitated through adjunct ESP courses when participants' English proficiency was inadequate. Data were obtained from nine classroom observations, three post-observation interviews and a questionnaire survey. Findings show that effective instruction was maintained via deploying pragmatic strategies, yet the goal of promoting English attainment was underachieved, as language teaching was not overtly heeded. Subject teachers' perceptions of EMI undermined prospective students' linguistic gains. The immediate educational context also contributed to students' English learning motivation and needs. Our findings suggest increasing access to ESP provision that is fine-tuned to the language issues in genuine EMI classrooms is crucial. Collaboration between subject and language specialists is beneficial to students' learning of both the subject knowledge and the language skills. ESP practitioners thus need to consider students' communicative needs in their disciplines and address the limitations of the current EMI practices in tertiary education in China.
Descriptors: Language of Instruction, Learning Motivation, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, English for Special Purposes, Language Proficiency, Teacher Attitudes, Foreign Countries, Classroom Research, Higher Education, College Faculty, Student Motivation, Instructional Effectiveness, Achievement Gains, College Students, Educational Needs
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: China
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A