Academic language-related challenges at an English-medium university

Kamaşak, R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8768-3569, Sahan, K. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4423-3108 and Rose, H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6434-6663 (2021) Academic language-related challenges at an English-medium university. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 49. 100945. ISSN 1475-1585 doi: 10.1016/j.jeap.2020.100945

Abstract/Summary

The study reported in this article investigated the linguistic challenges that students face at an English medium instruction (EMI) university in Turkey. The aims of the study were (1) to describe the challenges that students experience in their EMI classes; (2) to investigate how these challenges vary according to individual student characteristics; and (3) to validate a research instrument designed to explore academic language-related challenges in EMI contexts. Data were collected from undergraduate students (N = 498) using an online questionnaire, which had a structure based on challenges with respect to reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The analysis revealed that students found writing and speaking to be the most challenging areas in their EMI classes. The study also found significant differences in the challenges reported by students with respect to academic discipline, L1 background, prior EMI experience, and the type of exam taken to meet the university’s language proficiency requirements. Implications are discussed with respect to EAP support for students and L2 proficiency entry requirements for EMI programs.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/103237
Identification Number/DOI	10.1016/j.jeap.2020.100945
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Arts, Humanities and Social Science > Institute of Education > Language and Literacy in Education
Publisher	Elsevier
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