Is EMI enough? Perceptions from university professors and students

Kathleen Anne Corrales; Lourdes A. Paba Rey; Nazira Santiago Escamilla

doi:10.5294/7094

Authors

Kathleen Anne Corrales Author Universidad del Norte
Lourdes A. Paba Rey Author Universidad del Norte, Instituto de Idiomas
Nazira Santiago Escamilla Author Universidad del Norte - Instituto de Idiomas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5294/7094

Keywords:

English medium instruction, intercultural education, international education, higher education

Abstract

Internationalization of higher education aims to develop foreign language and intercultural and international competences (IIC). To achieve this, universities worldwide have implemented strategies such as teaching content subjects in English, also known as English mediated instruction (EMI). However, there is scant research on the positive and negative aspects related to EMI implementation in Latin America. For this reason, this case study explores the perceptions of a group of computer science professors, students, and the program administrator in a Colombian university about the use of this approach in learning content and language and the development of IICs. Results revealed that implementing this initiative has benefits but also poses some challenges. Therefore, we offer recommendations related to the institution as a whole, the professors, and the students and suggest including some elements of the CLIL approach to support learning. It is hoped that these findings will contribute to the worldwide EMI/CLIL discussion, especially in Latin American where this practice is relatively new.

doi: 10.5294/laclil.2016.9.2.4

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Author Biographies

Kathleen Anne Corrales, Universidad del Norte

Kathleen Corrales is an English professor, researcher and program coordinator at the undergraduate and graduate level in the Department of Foreign Languages at Instituto de Idiomas, Universidad del Norte. Her research interests include internationalization, English medium instruction, business communication, and content-based instruction. Member of COLCIENCIAS-ranked research group: Language and Education.

Lourdes A. Paba Rey, Universidad del Norte, Instituto de Idiomas

Lourdes Rey Paba is an English professor, researcher and Department Director at the undergraduate and graduate level in the Department of Foreign Languages at Instituto de Idiomas, Universidad del Norte. Her research interests include curriculum development, internationalization, language policies, and teacher development. Member of COLCIENCIAS-ranked research group: Language and Education.

Nazira Santiago Escamilla, Universidad del Norte - Instituto de Idiomas

Nazira Santiago Escamilla teaches English at the undergraduate level in the Department of Foreign Languages and Spanish as a foreign language in the Extension program at the at Instituto de Idiomas, Universidad del Norte.

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