scholarly journals University Teachers’ Views on English as the Medium of Instruction in an Iranian Higher Education Institution

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arab World English Journal ◽  
Abbas Zare-ee ◽  
S. Yahya Hejazi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
English Language ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Medium Of Instruction ◽  
State University ◽  
University Teachers ◽  
The Subject ◽  
New Curricula ◽  
Current Emphasis

The use of English for instruction at the tertiary level of education by nations whose native language is not English has been the subject of considerable debate. This study aims to survey the attitudes of a group of Iranian university teachers at a state university in central Iran towards the possible use of English as a medium of instruction (EMI) in Iranian higher education, where Persian is currently the medium of instruction except in English language departments. It also explores whether teachers’ attitude towards EMI is affected by their university rank. To this end, 60 teachers were randomly selected from faculties of Humanities, Science, and Engineering, and their perceptions about EMI were explored through questionnaires and interviews. The findings indicated that, in spite of the current emphasis on Persian by authorities, teachers valued English over Persian as the medium of instruction, expressing concerns mainly about inadequacies in resources and English proficiency requirements. Interview results showed that their opinions were divided as they enumerated a variety of economic, academic, cultural, social, and technological reasons both for and against the possible use of EMI at Iranian tertiary levels. The results imply that concerns over the launch of new curricula using EMI are multidimensional. Possible suggestions for future research on EMI are discussed.

The positioning of English-medium of instruction

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-27
Author(s):  
John Trent
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
English Language ◽  
Positioning Theory ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Medium Of Instruction ◽  
English Medium Instruction ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
English Medium Of Instruction ◽  
The University

Abstract The proliferation of English-medium instruction (EMI) in higher education institutions (HEIs) across non-English-speaking Europe has been recently documented in several large-scale surveys. The opportunities and challenges of designing and implementing EMI policies are also widely recognized. However, our understanding of the use of EMI in Russian HEIs is limited. This study responds to this research need by exploring the experiences and perspectives of instructors teaching business-related subjects using the English language in two different Russian HEIs. A contribution of the study is to investigate these perspectives and experiences using the analytic lens of positioning theory. Results reveal the ways in which instructors are positioned by the university, as well how they position themselves, within an EMI environment. Acknowledging the potential antagonism that might result between different EMI stakeholders because of this positioning and repositioning, suggestions are then made as how this outcome could be avoided. Implications for future research are also considered.

scholarly journals Diagnosis of Voice Disorders Among University Teachers: Hygiene, Prevention and Recovery

2021 ◽  
pp. 99-113
Author(s):  
Elena Anatolevna Larina ◽  
Evgeniia Patiupina
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Speech Therapy ◽  
Voice Quality ◽  
Voice Disorders ◽  
Future Research ◽  
State University ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Voice Restoration ◽  
University Teachers

Voice is a unique means of communication and socialization of a person, the formation of a vast human multicultural space. It is used in a wide variety of professions and is a function with an interdisciplinary affiliation, therefore hygiene, health preservation, and voice restoration have a systemic convergent (interdisciplinary) nature. This problem is dealt with by specialists of pedagogical and medical profiles (speech therapists, phonopedists, phoniatrists, otolaryngologists). Higher school teachers have excessive voice and psychoemotional stress, recently complicated by distance learning. In the course of their work, they must meet the requirements for their voice quality in the process of performing teaching. The object of the research is the state of vocal abilities among teachers of higher education. Subject – generalization of methods of voice restoration among teachers of higher education, actualization of the importance of preventive and hygienic work to prevent professional voice disorders. The working hypothesis of the study consists of the assumption that timely diagnosis and systematic use of selected speech therapy and phonopedic measures will optimize the process of restoring laryngeal functions among university teachers. This paper describes an empirical study of the characteristics of the voice in high school teachers (Pacific State University), identifies the main factors affecting voice health and the causes of their occurrence. Based on the analysis of the survey data obtained from the survey and previously conducted theoretical and practical research, materials (brochures) and videos (master classes) on hygiene and prevention of voice disorders were prepared for university teachers. The scientific contribution of the research consists in obtaining empirical results in the designated problem field, combining speech therapy and phonopedic scientific and methodological materials for practical use by persons with voice-speech professions. The direction of future research will be to expand the group of respondents (teachers, educators, students) for diagnostic measurements and subsequent comparative analysis of the data obtained.

scholarly journals The Relationship Between Listening Proficiency And Speaking Improvement In Higher Education: Considerations In Assessing Speaking And Listening

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erickzon Dany Astorga
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
English Language ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Close Link ◽  
English Teaching ◽  
Listening Skill ◽  
Listening Proficiency

<p>The present study examines the outcomes of having recourse to Listening skill as support to improve oral skills in English language teaching. In this context, data from 120 students at a specific higher education institution was analyzed; 60 of whom were provided with totally Listening-focused instruction and activities, while a separate group of 60 students receiving normal institutional English teaching. A comparative analysis of pre- and post-test rubric labels and scores indicates a close link between Listening proficiency and a slight improvement in functional and interactive oral sub-skills. The results of this study have implications for defining the foundations of future research in English teaching methodologies and strategies, and the second language assessment process for Speaking and Listening skills.</p>

Can-Do descriptors – Realigning English Language Curriculum at Higher Education Institution to CEFR

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Erda Wati Bakar
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
Language Curriculum ◽  
English Curriculum ◽  
The Common ◽  
The University

The Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR) has become the standard used to describe and evaluate students’ command of a second or foreign language. It is an internationally acknowledged standard language proficiency framework which many countries have adopted such as China, Thailand, Japan and Taiwan. Malaysia Ministry of Education is aware and realise the need for the current English language curriculum to be validated as to reach the international standard as prescribed by the CEFR. The implementation of CEFR has begun at primary and secondary level since 2017 and now higher education institutions are urged to align their English Language Curriculum to CEFR as part of preparation in receiving students who have been taught using CEFR-aligned curriculum at schools by year 2022. This critical reflection article elucidates the meticulous processes that we have embarked on in re-aligning our English Language Curriculum to the standard and requirements of CEFR. The paper concludes with a remark that the alignment of the English curriculum at the university needs full support from the management in ensuring that all the stakeholders are fully prepared, informed and familiar with the framework.

The Correlation between Servqual Dimensions and Student Satisfaction

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Nur Zihan Abd Rashid ◽  
Tuan Nur Athirah Nabilah Tuan Ismail ◽  
Bibianah Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
New Findings

Service quality is a very crucial element in ensuring the competitiveness of various institutions. By having a good service quality, the reputation of the organization will enhance and thus become their added competitive advantage. In higher education institution, service quality is important to ensure the students whom are their primary stakeholders are able to have a good learning experience in which will then influence their satisfaction. The primary objective of this paper is to analyze the correlation between five elements in SERVQUAL dimensions (tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy) and the student satisfaction. The questionnaires were distributed among the students in various faculties in UiTM Sabah by using convenience sampling technique and 250 questionnaires were managed to be collected for analysis. Overall, the result shows that the students are satisfied with service quality in UiTM Sabah. Specifically, all five SERVQUAL dimensions correlate with student satisfaction. Reliability, responsiveness and empathy dimensions have strong correlation with student satisfaction. Meanwhile, both tangibility and assurance have moderate correlation with student satisfaction. This study is hoped to contribute towards the new knowledge in the field of service quality especially in higher education institutions Future research is also proposed at the final section of this study to discover new findings from different perspectives of service quality. Keywords: servqual; students’ satisfaction; service quality; higher education institution; service delivery.

scholarly journals Management of Process and Infrastructure in Higher Education Institution

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Ekaterine Gulua
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Human Potential ◽  
State University ◽  
University Management ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Higher Education System ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Academic Personnel

The work is dedicated to analyzing the management challenges of higher education institutions, which are discussed from two different angles: the management process and its supporting - ergonomic and infrastructural issues. The work is accomplished under the auspices of the Human Potential Management Laboratory at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. The present work is a continuation of the previous research items, which were devoted to studying the perceptions of university challenges. The work is based on the qualitative analysis of the Georgian higher education system and Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University management mechanisms, also the research analysis on the attitude towards the current challenges of TSU Economics and Business Faculty students and the academic personnel. 62% of the total composition of the academic personnel participated in the surve. The questionnaire included 48 closed and two open questions. The data was developed in the program "SPSS-Statistics”. Preliminary hypotheses have been verified by statistical methods. Person correlation test, the Chi-square tests and linear regression, namely the ANOVA test are used to analyse the results. The analysis of the challenges based on the qualitative and quantitative research became the basis of searching ways to improve the management strategy of higher educational institutions. The challenges identified in the work and the suggested recommendations will help the stakeholders interested in the issue/field.

scholarly journals Social and personal orientation of learning activity as the basis for students’ professional development

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (Extra-A) ◽  
pp. 141-147
Author(s):  
Elena L. Mitsan ◽  
Elena A. Ovsyannikova ◽  
Irina V. Samarokova ◽  
Svetlana V. Kharitonova ◽  
Alexey G. Ivanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Learning Activity ◽  
Professional Orientation ◽  
University Teachers ◽  
Individual Consideration ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Personal Orientation ◽  
Development Of Students

The present article discusses the problem of development of students’ professional orientation. The article presents an author’s complex of pedagogical conditions that facilitate students’ professional development in institution of higher learning. The complex embraces the following: revelation and formation of students’ values; creation of an educational environment in an institute of higher education that promotes self-realization of an individual; consideration of the subject experience of students; development of pedagogical abilities of future teachers; development of professional skills of university teachers as the basis for formation of professional orientation. Moreover, the article describes the results of experimental work which has confirmed the effectiveness of the developed complex of pedagogical conditions that ensure the development of students’ professional orientation in an institute of higher education based on personality orientation of academic work.

scholarly journals KWReq—a new instrument for measuring knowledge work requirements of higher education graduates

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximilian Trommer ◽  
Hildegard Schaeper ◽  
Gregor Fabian
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
English Language ◽  
Empirical Test ◽  
Questionnaire Development ◽  
Measurement Instrument ◽  
Knowledge Work ◽  
Replication Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
New Instrument

AbstractStarting from the observation that questionnaires for appropriately measuring the changing working conditions and requirements of the highly qualified workforce do not exist, we developed a new German-language instrument focussing on knowledge work. Based on theoretical considerations, we first identified three basic dimensions that constitute knowledge work: novelty, complexity, and autonomy. During the subsequent process of questionnaire development with higher education graduates, including a cognitive pretest, a quantitative development study, and a replication study, these dimensions were operationalised by initially 173 and finally 22 items. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling of the data of both the development and the replication study show that the 22-item instrument validly and reliably measures novelty (4 items), complexity with three subdimensions (9 items), and autonomy, also with three subdimensions (9 items). An English version of the questionnaire is available. However, the empirical test of the English-language questionnaire as well as possible refinements of the measurement instrument, which will be discussed in the final section of the paper, are left to future research.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document