ENGLISH MEDIUM INSTRUCTION IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: PRINCIPLES, CRITERIA, AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe the principles and criteria for implementing the use of EMI methods in higher education institutions. The practical significance of this paper is to establish the main purpose of EMI (English Medium Instruction) as a method of teaching various disciplines in English at universities. Its scientific significance lies in the analysis of the differences between EMI and other similar approaches such as CLIL, ESP, EAP, EGAP, and ESAT. The research methodology is based on the analysis of the report of the University of Oxford, supported by the British Council, and other publications that refer to studies on the experience of EMI implementation in European universities. In establishing correlations in the information-gathering, functional and communicative-pragmatic analysis of the choice of specific imperative forms, the method of observation is used to collect, analyze and integrate the data. The description and methodology of this study allow us to draw certain conclusions about the current situation regarding the use of EMIs in the higher education system and to identify a number of issues that require consideration and more detailed investigation to ensure the introduction of such language courses in Kazakhstani universities. Many problems of teaching academic subjects in English in a country where English is not the mother tongue were identified. The practical significance of the results is that they can be applied to the systematization of English language programs in institutions of higher education to enable students to acquire English at an advanced level. The analysis and results of this study can contribute to further improving the pedagogical skills of teachers of subject-specific language courses in accordance with international standards, including English proficiency and innovative teaching methods. Recommendations and requirements for teachers conducting such specialized courses are presented.