Exploring the role of language in English medium instruction

ABSTRACT

English Medium Instruction (EMI) in universities continues to grow as an educational phenomenon and increasingly is attracting the attention of researchers, particularly researchers who are applied linguists. Starting with a definition of EMI and with the challenges that any working definition poses in the many contexts in which EMI is said to be operating, this paper explores the extent to which some of the theories prevalent in the field of second language acquisition can be transferred to the kinds of content classrooms which are labelled EMI. Examples of language used in content classrooms are provided and analysed with two specific foci: what and how vocabulary is used by teachers; the use of the learners’ first language by the teacher. Some recommendations for taking a more nuanced perspective towards EMI research by applied linguists are suggested.

KEYWORDS:

• English medium instruction
• vocabulary
• L1 use

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the three anonymous reviewers for their helpful suggestions when revising this paper. I would also like to thank Aintzane Doiz and David Lasagabaster for their support as guest editors of this special issue.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Ernesto Macaro is Emeritus Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Oxford. His current research focuses on second language learning strategies and on the interaction between teachers and learners in second language classrooms or in classrooms where English is the medium of instruction. He has published widely on these topics.

Notes

1 See, for example, debates hosted by the British Council (www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/teacher-talking-time).