The Use of English as a Medium of Instruction in Tunisian Higher Education: Benefits and Issues
Aicha Rahal | PPKE Nyelvtudományi Doktori Iskola
Internationalisation has become essential in higher education to prepare institutions for participation to the global environment. English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) is considered an internationalizing policy at universities. This study is an attempt to report on a qualitative inquiry that will investigate a group of Tunisian university teachers’ and students’ perceptions regarding the use of English as a language of instruction in Tunisian higher education, benefits and the challenges.
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Dear Aicha,
thank you very much for your poster! I would like to know what does the notion “Medium of Instruction” mean. Can you maybe explain it to me?
I find this topic quite interesting, also regarding the fact that language ideologies concerning English can play a crucial role when finding out how people perceive EMI in Tunisian higher education. It would be interesting to see how language ideologies concerning English in Tunisia and the perception of EMI interact or if they correlate in some kind of way 🙂
Kind regards,
Luca
Dear Luca,
Thank you very much for your comments and questions.
“Medium of Instruction” means the language of instruction/ teaching. This poster focuses on English as Medium of Instruction (EMI) which means to the use of English to teach content or academic subjects (where English is not the native language).
Yes, I do agree with you. Language ideologies play a role in shaping people’s perceptions. As far as Tunisia is concerned, there is a revival in the status of English because it is the language of academic research and it has recently become a medium of instruction in two Tunisian higher education institutions. BUT, Tunisian higher education is characterized by the dominance of the French language. Tunisia is a francophone country and the francophony is working on preserving its language !
Thank you once again and I hope I answered your questions.
Best Regards,
Aicha Rahal
Dear Luca,
Thank you very much for your comments and questions.
“Medium of Instruction” means the language of instruction/ teaching. This poster focuses on English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) which meansthe use of English to teach content or academic subjects (where English is not the native language).
Yes, I do agree with you. Language ideologies play a role in shaping people’s perceptions. As far as Tunisia is concerned, there is a revival in the status of English because it is the language of academic research and it has recently become a medium of instruction in two Tunisian higher education institutions. BUT, Tunisian higher education is characterized by the dominance of the French language. Tunisia is a francophone country and the francophony is working on preserving its language !
Thank you once again and I hope I answered your questions.
Best Regards,
Aicha Rahal
Hello Aicha,
Thank you for your poster.
Do you think that the Francophony can prevent the promotion of English in Tunisia?
Best
Nada
Hello Nada,
Thank you for your question.
I think the dominance of the French language and the absence of clear language policies in Tunisia can prevent the promotion of the status of English.
Best Regards,
Aicha Rahal