https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6710-8943
![Sample our Language & Literature journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5941/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Language-Literature.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
New norms of linguistic ideology and practices emerged as English grows in higher education in non-English speaking countries. English Medium Instruction (EMI) has been formalised by overlooking the role of other (e.g. native) languages in knowledge construction and communication. This study investigates STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) teachers’ and students’ language-related ideologies about translanguaging at a private university in Bangladesh where English has been adopted as an instructional medium. The participants of this study include 6 university teachers and 10 students from STEM background. In-depth interviews with teachers and students reveal that, while English has been used as the official language for instruction, translanguaging has been highlighted for its purposeful use and significance in STEM classrooms, primarily in the construction of knowledge, communication, and scientific meaning-making. The findings of the study also shed light on the mismatch between macro-level English-only monolingual language policy adoption driven by contemporary ideologies associated with English, and micro-level stakeholders’ ideologies of translanguaging in STEM pedagogy. This study, therefore, argues for a change in the way of looking at bilinguals’ language practices and embracing the linguistic rights and reality for more flexible and inclusive language policy in higher education.
Acknowledgement
The first author wants to acknowledge the support of Institute of Postgraduate Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia for the Vice-Chancellor Award, awarded in 2019.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Mohammad Mosiur Rahman
Mohammad Mosiur Rahman is a lecturer at BRAC Institute of Languages (BIL), BRAC University in Bangladesh. His research interests are interdisciplinary issues in language education and applied linguistics. His works have appeared in prestigious international journals such as Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, English Today, Journal of Language, Identity & Education, Asian Englishes, English Teaching & Learning, Journal of Asia TEFL, Issues in Educational Research, Language Testing in Asia, Open Linguistics, MEXTESOL Journal among others. Mohammad Mosiur Rahman is one of the two recipients of the Universiti Sains Malaysia Vice-Chancellor Award in 2019, the highest award for any PhD student from the university.
Manjet Kaur Mehar Singh
Manjet Kaur Mehar Singh (PhD) is an associate professor and currently holds the position of Deputy Dean of Research, Innovation and Industry-Community Engagement at the School of Languages, Literacies and Translation, Universiti Sains Malaysia. Her research interests include higher education, academic literacies, international students, and language learning. She publishes widely in indexed journals, and book chapters. She is also the Managing Editor of IJoLLT and sits on the editorial board of indexed international journals.