EMI Online Workshop: Introduction to EMI

【NSYSU X AIT】English Language Specialist Program 
EMI Online Workshop Entry I: Introduction to EMI
•Date: 14, May 2022, Saturday, 09:00-12:00
•Specialist: Dr. Karen Barto

In the first ELS workshop held with the cooperation between AIT and NSYSU,
English language specialist Dr. Karen Barto explained the EMI Professional Development Program and offered an introduction to EMI.
The program consists of three levels (entry, junior, and senior) and each constitutes a series of courses intended for different key teaching competencies.
Participants were initiated into the format and goals of this workshop series along with several core concepts essential to EMI.
Topics regarding the concerns when performing EMI were also discussed in groups.

※ Reasons, Benefits, and Challenges of EMI:
Due to UK’s broad colonial history and US’s role in the global economy,  English as a Lingua Franca is now a prevailing trend.
Therefore, driven by the zeitgeist, top-down political mandates are issued to  implement EMI for political factors, economic benefits, educational prestige, etc.
In the case of higher education, enhancement of English ability can bring about students’ prosperity,
and institutions would have greater chances to attract international students and achieve higher rankings.
Yet challenges also exist. Students may not be equipped with  adequate English proficiency, while instructors may lack support and resources.
Therefore both faculty and students may hold resistance to EMI instruction.

※ Goals and Purposes of this Workshop Series:
The purposes of the workshops are to help instructors maximize the benefits of EMI, recognize  challenges,
and confront them with knowledge and tools for the transition toward EMI.
Through gradual implementation with a global mindset on course design, material and assessments,
and teaching strategies such as translanguaging and instructional scaffolding, concerns on picking up effective EMI teachings will no longer be an issue!

※On Student Demographics and Language concerns:
While the demographics of students from different departments have may be quite varied,
getting students involved in class is the common concern.
By creating interactive occasions (e.g., project-based learning, team-based learning, flipped classroom pedagogy)
and making transparent the reasons for the decisions made for the course, students will be more receptive to EMI courses.
In the case of language concerns, instructors should bear in mind that EMI is to integrate English language use into content teaching;
therefore confidence in teaching in English is required to guide students away from anxiety when facing difficulties.

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