Practices of English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) at University Level: Perspectives from Biology Students

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Umpteen research contributing to the development of English use in the non-English department has been carried out. As one already knows, English is a required language in the non-English department nowadays as language instruction is needed to adjust to the world expansion in which English is a popular additional language for non-native countries. The present research investigated the implementation of English as a non-English department’s language instruction which is popularly known as English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) in a biology major. It specifically invited two students from one of the private universities in Indonesia. Two participants' active participation in joining their university program has brought them to the EMI implementation activities. A qualitative method has been used to discover participants’ experiences in their journey of learning biology which implements EMI through a phone interview. The data analysis examines their experiences in learning biology using EMI, teaching methodologies used by their teachers in teaching biology courses using English, and also participants’ views of the long-term impact of EMI implementation. Briefly, the research findings unveil that EMI implementation in non-English majors, specifically biology correlates with international programs conducted inside and teachers’ beliefs which influence the teaching methodology used in EMI activities.

Keywords: EMI in Indonesia; students’ perspectives; content and language integrated learning; international education; university level.