Research Article

Inclusive Student-Centred Pedagogy in Higher Education: Exploring Faculty Members’ Teaching Skills and Pedagogical Training from English Medium Instruction Students’ Perspectives

Number: 67 March 31, 2026
TR EN

Inclusive Student-Centred Pedagogy in Higher Education: Exploring Faculty Members’ Teaching Skills and Pedagogical Training from English Medium Instruction Students’ Perspectives

Abstract

This study explores the faculty members’ teaching skills and pedagogical training from English-Medium Instruction (EMI) students’ perspectives at a Turkish EMI university with a focus on the interplay between instructional practices and inclusive student-centred pedagogy. Despite the priority given to research and institutional rankings, ineffective pedagogy and a lack of pedagogical training for faculty members impede inclusive student-centred practices. Through a qualitative case design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with EMI students from the architecture, engineering, and science faculties. The data analysis followed an abductive thematic approach through which emerging patterns were interpreted in relation to three pedagogical perspectives associated with inclusive student-centred pedagogy: Universal Design for Learning, sociocultural pedagogy, and humanizing pedagogy. The findings reveal a significant need for more interactive, flexible, and multimodal course designs. Along with preferring more collaborative learning environments and faculty feedback, students emphasize the essence of inclusive and transformative relationships with the faculty, addressing the importance of inclusive student-centred pedagogical practices that foster safe learning environments in EMI contexts. By foregrounding EMI students’ voices and positioning faculty pedagogical training as a fundamental prerequisite for developing inclusive EMI teaching competencies, the study provides pedagogically grounded insights to inform future EMI faculty development initiatives in higher education.

Keywords

Inclusive student-centred pedagogy, higher education pedagogy, English medium instruction, faculty pedagogical training, student perspective

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Social and Human Sciences Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee of İzmir Institute of Technology (Approval no. 05/03). All the participants volunteering to take part in this study were informed about the procedures and their rights to withdraw. The participants read and sign a written informed consent form (approved by the Social and Human Sciences Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee of İzmir Institute of Technology) to participate. Informed consent for publication was provided by the participants.

References

  1. Altbach, P. G., & Hazelkorn, E. (2017). Pursuing rankings in the age of massification: For most—forget about it. International Higher Education, (89), 8-10. https://doi.org/10.6017/ihe.2017.89.9834
  2. Arslan, S. (2023). A narrative enquiry into EMI instructors' linguistic and pedagogical needs. In S. M. Curle & J. K. H. Pun (Eds.), Qualitative research methods in English medium instruction for emerging researchers (pp. 94-114). Routledge.
  3. Barkhuizen, G. (2018). Ten qualitative research dilemmas and what to do about them. Learner Development Journal, 1(2), 117-127.
  4. Başar, S. (2025). The pedagogical realities of English medium instruction: Faculty members’ experiences of teaching and professional development. European Educational Research Journal. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/14749041251377120
  5. Blair, A., & McGinty, S. (2013). Feedback-dialogues: Exploring the student perspective. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 38(4), 466-476. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2011.649244
  6. Bogomaz, S., Kozlova, N., & Atamanova, I. (2015). University students' personal and professional development: The sociocultural environment effect. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 214, 552-558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.11.759
  7. Boud, D., & Molloy, E. (2013). Rethinking models of feedback for learning: The challenge of design. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 38(6), 698-712. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2012.691462
  8. Burns, A., Edwards, E., & Ellis, N. J. (2022). Sustaining action research: A practical guide for institutional engagement. Routledge.
  9. Capp, M. J. (2017). The effectiveness of universal design for learning: A meta-analysis of literature between 2013 and 2016. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 21(8), 791-807. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2017.1325074
  10. Carless, D. (2006). Differing perceptions in the feedback process. Studies in Higher Education, 31(2), 219-233. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075070600572132
APA
Başar, S. (2026). Inclusive Student-Centred Pedagogy in Higher Education: Exploring Faculty Members’ Teaching Skills and Pedagogical Training from English Medium Instruction Students’ Perspectives. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Buca Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 67, 476-500. https://doi.org/10.53444/deubefd.1815489
AMA
1.Başar S. Inclusive Student-Centred Pedagogy in Higher Education: Exploring Faculty Members’ Teaching Skills and Pedagogical Training from English Medium Instruction Students’ Perspectives. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Buca Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;(67):476-500. doi:10.53444/deubefd.1815489
Chicago
Başar, Serhat. 2026. “Inclusive Student-Centred Pedagogy in Higher Education: Exploring Faculty Members’ Teaching Skills and Pedagogical Training from English Medium Instruction Students’ Perspectives”. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Buca Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, nos. 67: 476-500. https://doi.org/10.53444/deubefd.1815489.
EndNote
Başar S (March 1, 2026) Inclusive Student-Centred Pedagogy in Higher Education: Exploring Faculty Members’ Teaching Skills and Pedagogical Training from English Medium Instruction Students’ Perspectives. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Buca Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 67 476–500.
IEEE
[1]S. Başar, “Inclusive Student-Centred Pedagogy in Higher Education: Exploring Faculty Members’ Teaching Skills and Pedagogical Training from English Medium Instruction Students’ Perspectives”, Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Buca Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, no. 67, pp. 476–500, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.53444/deubefd.1815489.
ISNAD
Başar, Serhat. “Inclusive Student-Centred Pedagogy in Higher Education: Exploring Faculty Members’ Teaching Skills and Pedagogical Training from English Medium Instruction Students’ Perspectives”. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Buca Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 67 (March 1, 2026): 476-500. https://doi.org/10.53444/deubefd.1815489.
JAMA
1.Başar S. Inclusive Student-Centred Pedagogy in Higher Education: Exploring Faculty Members’ Teaching Skills and Pedagogical Training from English Medium Instruction Students’ Perspectives. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Buca Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;:476–500.
MLA
Başar, Serhat. “Inclusive Student-Centred Pedagogy in Higher Education: Exploring Faculty Members’ Teaching Skills and Pedagogical Training from English Medium Instruction Students’ Perspectives”. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Buca Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, no. 67, Mar. 2026, pp. 476-00, doi:10.53444/deubefd.1815489.
Vancouver
1.Serhat Başar. Inclusive Student-Centred Pedagogy in Higher Education: Exploring Faculty Members’ Teaching Skills and Pedagogical Training from English Medium Instruction Students’ Perspectives. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Buca Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026 Mar. 1;(67):476-500. doi:10.53444/deubefd.1815489