EFL STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE CHALLENGES IN ENGLISH AS A MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION CLASSES

Abstract

There is no doubt that English is taught as an official subject at various levels of education in all four corners of the globe, particularly in non-English-speaking countries. It has also recently become the language of instruction in some Vietnamese universities. However, some challenges in English as a medium of instruction (EMI) classes have emerged that hinder the quality of teaching and learning and prevent an improvement in outcomes for students. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the difficulties associated with the implementation of EMI programs, with the participation of 280 students from various majors at a higher education institution in Vietnam. To collect quantitative and qualitative data, questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews were used. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. The study's findings revealed factors, including emotions, motivation, engagement with learning materials, and English language proficiency highlighted as a particular area of challenge. Finally, the implications of the research were presented to stakeholders (including students, lecturers, and administrators) to improve success in EMI classes.