Beyond Language Proficiency: Enhancing Quality in English-Medium Instruction Courses at Japanese Universities (79077)
Session Chair: Damaris D E Carlisle
Friday, 29 March 2024 10:50
Session: Session 2
Room: Room B (Live Stream)
Presentation Type: Live-Stream Presentation
The Japanese government's significant investment in expanding English-Medium Instruction (EMI) at universities aims to enhance their global standing and retain top graduates. Despite these efforts, there exists a notable disparity in the understanding of EMI across various higher education stakeholders, ranging from governmental to classroom levels. A key challenge identified is the English proficiency of both faculty and students, essential for maintaining EMI quality. However, this study highlights that beyond language skills, the course curriculum and teaching methods are equally critical. Through an investigation into the experiences of 20 English-speaking international students at a prominent Japanese university, it was found that students perceive a considerable variance in teaching quality among instructors. They regard the teaching level as more important than English proficiency, indicating a need for a unified understanding among instructors on delivering high-quality lessons. The success of EMI programs also hinges on strong relationships between students and course content, instructors and students, and between domestic and international students. To cultivate these relationships, instructors must focus on clear explanations, encouraging collaborative learning, and providing comprehensive instructions and feedback.
Authors:
Wanxin Yan, Tohoku University, Japan
About the Presenter(s)
Ms Wanxin Yan is a University Doctoral Student at Tohoku university in Japan
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