This study aims to analyze the unexpected effect of English medium instruction(EMI) policy which is becoming the most important plan to achieve globalization of universities in and out of Korea. Study data were collected through interviews with sixtee...
This study aims to analyze the unexpected effect of English medium instruction(EMI) policy which is becoming the most important plan to achieve globalization of universities in and out of Korea. Study data were collected through interviews with sixteen K University(KU) students who have difficulty taking EMIs or are not satisfied with EMIs. Observation in one EMI class at KU was also taken to collect study data.
The study results show that, first, Students at KU experienced low comprehension of what has been taught in EMIs and there were little effect on improvement of English skills through EMIs. And students tend to become passive in EMIs in terms of participation.
Second, globalization which EMI policy at KU has aimed was successful in terms of the number of foreign students enrolled at KU. But still there were things to be taken care of to attain qualitative success: not to mix Korean or use 100% of Korean in EMIs.
Third, there was student stratification resulted from English divide in EMIs. This student stratification led unfair grading in exams.
Fourth, both enforcing students and professors to take and conduct EMIs and lack of support system disrupted EMIs to be effective.
Based on these results found, this study suggests the following recommendation: (1) when implementing EMIs, Korean universities should provide appropriate and sufficient support for students who have difficulty in EMIs; (2) compulsory EMI policy needs to be changed into allowing students' choice and voluntariness (3) EMIs should be conducted when the content of the class is suitable for EMIs ; (4) further study is needed to analyse cases of universities in local area with low university ranking; (5) it is necessary to study students who do not have any difficulty in taking EMIs and are satisfied with EMIs.