The Role of English in Higher Education Internationalization: Language Ideologies on EMI Programmes in China

Abstract

English medium instruction (EMI) is an increasing phenomenon in higher education in China. While internationalization policies at both institutional and national levels take credit for creating the phenomenon, the market needs for EMI programmes for Chinese students are irresistible forces. In addition, research into English as a lingua franca urges us to consider the ‘E’ in ‘EMI’. This chapter thus adopts a holistic approach to understanding EMI programmes in China, by considering views revealed and expressed by different discourse groups in terms of needs, wants, expectations, choice and access associated with the medium of instruction. The unfolded complexity of EMI initiatives points to English-related language ideologies that call for the pedagogical engagement with sociolinguistic diversity and educational quality.