Research Article

English-Medium Instruction (EMI) in Online Classes: Attitudes of Students with Limited Language Proficiency

Volume: 26 Number: 2 July 28, 2025
TR EN

English-Medium Instruction (EMI) in Online Classes: Attitudes of Students with Limited Language Proficiency

Abstract

This paper reports the findings of a qualitative study conducted with the purpose of exploring the attitudes of undergraduate students towards the use of English-medium instruction (EMI) in distance education. The participants were volunteers among the freshmen and sophomores majoring in English Language and Literature at a state university in Eastern Türkiye. The research data were collected via a semi-structured interview protocol administered towards the end of 2022-2023 academic year and analysed through deductive thematic analysis. Research findings demonstrated that the students’ language proficiency and disciplinary vocabulary were two major impediments restricting the effectiveness of online EMI. Another finding was that the student viewpoints both converged and diverged with respect to the affordances and shortcomings of the online EMI experience. The students also voiced their perspectives on the necessity of translation during EMI classes and on the effects of EMI on their academic performance. In the light of the study results, pedagogical implications are discussed and recommendations are provided.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This research was carried out with the permission obtained with the E-37077861-900-102339 numbered decision of the Igdir University Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee on May 25th, 2023.

References

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  2. Bälter, O., Kann, V., Mutimukwe, C., & Malmström, H. (2023). English-medium instruction and impact on academic performance: A randomized control study. Applied Linguistics Review. https://doi.org/10.1515/applirev-2022-0093
  3. Baran-Łucarz, M. (2013). Phonetics learning anxiety–results of a preliminary study. Research in Language, 11(1), 57-79. https://cejsh.icm.edu.pl/cejsh/element/bwmeta1.element.ojs-doi-10_2478_v10015-012-0005-9
  4. Baran-Łucarz, M. (2014). The link between pronunciation anxiety and willingness to communicate in the foreign-language classroom: The Polish EFL context. Canadian Modern Language Review, 70(4), 445-473. https://doi.org/10.3138/cmlr.2666
  5. Bozbıyık, M., & Morton, T. (2024). Lecturers’ use of examples in online university English-medium instruction: A micro-analytic classroom interaction and knowledge-building perspective. Language and Education, 38(3), 344-363. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500782.2023.2173528
  6. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
  7. British Council TEPAV. (2015). The state of English in higher education in Turkey. https://www.britishcouncil.org.tr/sites/default/files/he_baseline_study_book_web_-_son.pdf
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

English As A Second Language

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 28, 2025

Submission Date

February 19, 2025

Acceptance Date

May 6, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 26 Number: 2

APA
Erdel, D. (2025). English-Medium Instruction (EMI) in Online Classes: Attitudes of Students with Limited Language Proficiency. Ege Eğitim Dergisi, 26(2), 146-162. https://doi.org/10.12984/egeefd.1642670
AMA
1.Erdel D. English-Medium Instruction (EMI) in Online Classes: Attitudes of Students with Limited Language Proficiency. Ege Eğitim Dergisi. 2025;26(2):146-162. doi:10.12984/egeefd.1642670
Chicago
Erdel, Didem. 2025. “English-Medium Instruction (EMI) in Online Classes: Attitudes of Students With Limited Language Proficiency”. Ege Eğitim Dergisi 26 (2): 146-62. https://doi.org/10.12984/egeefd.1642670.
EndNote
Erdel D (July 1, 2025) English-Medium Instruction (EMI) in Online Classes: Attitudes of Students with Limited Language Proficiency. Ege Eğitim Dergisi 26 2 146–162.
IEEE
[1]D. Erdel, “English-Medium Instruction (EMI) in Online Classes: Attitudes of Students with Limited Language Proficiency”, Ege Eğitim Dergisi, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 146–162, July 2025, doi: 10.12984/egeefd.1642670.
ISNAD
Erdel, Didem. “English-Medium Instruction (EMI) in Online Classes: Attitudes of Students With Limited Language Proficiency”. Ege Eğitim Dergisi 26/2 (July 1, 2025): 146-162. https://doi.org/10.12984/egeefd.1642670.
JAMA
1.Erdel D. English-Medium Instruction (EMI) in Online Classes: Attitudes of Students with Limited Language Proficiency. Ege Eğitim Dergisi. 2025;26:146–162.
MLA
Erdel, Didem. “English-Medium Instruction (EMI) in Online Classes: Attitudes of Students With Limited Language Proficiency”. Ege Eğitim Dergisi, vol. 26, no. 2, July 2025, pp. 146-62, doi:10.12984/egeefd.1642670.
Vancouver
1.Didem Erdel. English-Medium Instruction (EMI) in Online Classes: Attitudes of Students with Limited Language Proficiency. Ege Eğitim Dergisi. 2025 Jul. 1;26(2):146-62. doi:10.12984/egeefd.1642670