Implementing English as a Medium of Instruction in International Economics and Business Education
Abstract
Internationalisation has become a strategic priority in higher education, particularly in faculties of economics and business that are closely connected to global markets and international collaboration. English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) is widely adopted as a key strategy to support academic integration and enhance students’ global competitiveness. This study investigates the implementation of EMI in international classes at the Faculty of Economics and Business Education in Indonesia. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research explores the challenges and perceived benefits experienced by lecturers and students in EMI-based teaching and learning. The findings reveal several major challenges, including limited English proficiency among stakeholders, inadequate EMI-oriented teaching materials, and insufficient professional development for lecturers. Despite these constraints, EMI demonstrates potential to improve students’ academic English competence, increase classroom participation, and advance institutional internationalisation goals. The study highlights the importance of comprehensive support systems, including targeted language training, curriculum alignment, and strong institutional policies, to ensure effective EMI implementation in non-English speaking contexts. These findings contribute to ongoing discussions on optimising EMI practices to strengthen internationalisation in higher education in developing countries.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Bolton, K., Hill, C., Bacon-Shone, J., & Peyronnin, K. (2023). EMI (English-medium instruction) in Indonesian higher education. World Englishes, 42(3), 424–446.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.
Cinkara, E., & Yüksel, M. E. (2024). Perceived impact of English medium instruction on transnational graduates in Türkiye: Insights from a mixed-methods study. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 71.
Dang, T. K. A., Bonar, G., & Yao, J. (2023). Professional learning for educators teaching in English-medium-instruction in higher education: a systematic review. Teaching in Higher Education, 28(4), 840–858.
de Wit, H., & Altbach, P. G. (2021). Internationalization in higher education: global trends and recommendations for its future. Policy Reviews in Higher Education, 5(1), 28–46. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322969.2020.1820898
Erliana, S., Cahyono, B. Y., Widiati, U., & Basthomi, Y. (2024a). The management of English as medium of instruction (EMI) policy at an Indonesian technological institution. Journal on English as a Foreign Language, 14(2), 704–725.
Erliana, S., Cahyono, B. Y., Widiati, U., & Basthomi, Y. (2024b). The management of English as medium of instruction (EMI) policy at an Indonesian technological institution. Journal on English as a Foreign Language, 14(2), 704–725.
Guo, L., He, Y., & Wang, S. (2022). An evaluation of English-medium instruction in higher education: influencing factors and effects. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development.
Kirkpatrick, A. (2014). A J A L The language(s) of HE: EMI and/or ELF and/or multilingualism? The Asian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 1(1), 4–15. http://caes.hku.hk/ajal
Knight, Jane. (2008). Higher Education in Turmoil: The Changing World of Internationalization. BRILL.
Lin, T., & Lei, J. (2021). English-Medium Instruction and Content Learning in Higher Education: Effects of Medium of Instruction, English Proficiency, and Academic Ability. SAGE Open, 11(4).
Macaro, E., Curle, S., Pun, J., An, J., & Dearden, J. (2018). A systematic review of English medium instruction in higher education. Language Teaching, 51(1), 36–76.
Muslim, A. B., Imperiani, E., Musthafa, B., Farlian, T., & Francisco, A. (2025). Enhancing international student motivations in Indonesian universities: building academic reputation in the Global South. Globalisation, Societies and Education.
Pramerta, I. G. P. A., Ratminingsih, N. M., Jaya Putra, I. N. A., Santosa, M. H., Artini, L. P., & Sri Adnyani, N. L. P. (2023). Voices of Non-English Students and Teachers in English as a Medium of Instruction. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 22(3), 491–509.
Puspitasari, T., & Ishak, C. N. (2023). Indonesian students’ perceptions of English of Medium Instrtuction. LLT Journal: Journal on Language and Language Teaching, 26(1), 324–334.
Sadiq, N., English, B. A. I., In, M. A., & Linguisdcs, E. (2022). Faculty of Arts and HumaniDes School of Modern Languages and LinguisDcs [Teachers’ Use of English and Other Languages in the English-Medium Instruction (EMI) Settings in Indonesian Universities.
Sahan, K., & Şahan, Ö. (2024). Investigating student and alumni perspectives on language learning and career prospects through English medium instruction. Teaching in Higher Education, 29(1), 194–215.
Subandowo, D., Sárdi, C., & Thresia, F. (2025). An investigation of English academic writing strategies employed by Indonesian graduate students in an English medium instruction (EMI) context. Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education, 10(1), 38.
Tran, T. H. T. T. B. R. O. J. M. (2021). Percieved impact of EMI on students’ language proficiency in Vietnamese tertiary EFL Contexts. IAFOR Journal of Education: Language Learning in Education, 9(3).
Tsai, Y. (2025). The feasibility of implementing the programs of English-Medium Instruction for internationalization in higher education. Higher Education Studies, 15(3), 312.
Yin, R. K. (2017). Case study research and applications: design and methods. SAGE Publications.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/jpak.v14i2.97497
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
JPAK : Jurnal Pendidikan Akuntansi dan Keuangan is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
View My Stats