Abstract:

There is a fast-moving worldwide shift from English being taught as a foreign language (EFL) to English being the medium of instruction (EMI) for academic subjects, being increasingly used in universities. This is a phenomenon with profound implications for the education of students and policy decisions. EMI is expanding in Romanian higher education, backed up by both integrative and instrumental reasons in their favor. However, little research has been conducted into why and when EMI is being introduced and how it is delivered, or regarding the consequences of introducing EMI on teaching, learning, assessing and teacher professional development. The Faculty of Civil Engineering from the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania trains diploma engineers using EMI. Organized in four year studies, the curricula combines theoretical knowledge with applications practiced via projects, lab activities and site practical work, to offer students the skills and abilities needed on the labour market. The English speaking young professionals are intensively trained and prepared, with emphasis being laid upon teaching both the technical skills (planning, execution, maintenance) and the language skills in an English working environment (reading, writing, listening, speaking). Thus it is easy to notice that introducing English as the language of instruction at the undergraduate level is a challenge for the lecturers and students alike. Students and instructors encounter high levels of challenges and obstacles during the course of instruction. This study provides insight into the lecturers’ perception of their teaching in EMI programs and some aspects considered to be more difficult and it concludes with recommendations to address these issues. Only by allowing students to gain profound knowledge in their field of study and of English as an international language as well, universities would be part of the real internationalization in higher education.

Keywords:

English medium instruction (EMI), higher education, civil engineering, technical skills, language skills.