ENGLISH AS A MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION AT UNIVERSITY

English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) is a concept used in non-English speaking territories that refers to the use of English when teaching non-linguistic courses. That is, the course’s specific content is taught in English but there is no explicit teaching or evaluation of English.

In , EMI is mainly taught in international secondary schools and universities. In fact, the number of EMI courses given in a university often equals its internationalization level. According to the study English as a medium of instruction - a growing global phenomenon 1, «in Europe the number of courses taught in English is increasing rapidly due to the Bologna process and these courses attract international students from around the world.»

At UPF “compulsory ECTS-credits in English” were implemented in 2008-2009 —in different forms, percentages and Bachelor’s Degrees. The then vice-rector for Linguistic Promotion, Prof. Carmen Pérez Vidal, established that all UPF degrees should include a minimum of 16 compulsory ECTS credits in English during the third and fourth years of study.

This initial approach has evolved to the following, current model:

Model Teaching language UPF Bachelor’s Degrees Immersion model 100% of the courses are taught in English. Bachelor’s Degree in International Business Economics Bachelor’s Degree in Bioinformatics Predominant model 85-95% of the courses are taught in Catalan Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities and/or Spanish. In the 3rd and 4th year some Bachelor’s Degree in Telematics compulsory courses are taught in English. Engineering Mixt model All courses are taught in Catalan, Spanish and Bachelor’s Degree in Economics English, but students from the same degree are taught in English in different percentages according to the courses chosen. Reverse model In the 1st and 2nd years courses are taught in Bachelor’s Degree in Global Studies English. In the 3rd and 4th years courses are taught in Catalan, Spanish and English.

The evolution of the UPF model: towards EMI

Ever since the implementation of the UPF’s Plan of Action for Multilingualism2, the number of courses taught in English has grown —from a predominant, unique model based on the integration of language and content called Integrated Language Learning (CLIL), to an English language teaching model concerning the principles of English Medium Instruction (EMI).

The increase of EMI courses has urged the University to design mechanisms for all faculty members when it comes to English language diagnosis, accreditation and training.

To this end, the UPF’s Multilingualism Unit (located within the Center for Innovation Learning and Knowledge) offers free language training to all University professors and researchers. Courses such as

1 Dearden, J (2014). English as a medium of instruction - a growing global phenomenon. British Council. Source: https://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/e484_emi_-_cover_option_3_final_web.pdf 2 (2007). Plan of Action for Multilingualism 2007-2013. Source: https://www.upf.edu/documents/6602910/7420376/2007_pam_en.pdf/5849d11b-40e7-a766-246d-48aafe5fcb6d

"Skills for Teaching in English Program (STEP Program)", "Oral Fluency in English", "Refresh your English", "Thursdays in English", "General English course Pre-Proficiency (C1.1)", etc. are designed to help the university’s teaching staff acquire the necessary level to teach in English with language proficiency.

Currently the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), the Autonomous University of (UAB), the University of (UdG) and the International University of Catalonia (UOC) are working jointly to draft an exam that should award a formal language accreditation to the professors teaching in English. We expect to launch this exam before the end of the year.

The following table reveals that the presence of English as a teaching language in the UPF’s bachelor’s degrees has increased by 17 points in the last seven years (from 5% in 2009-2010 to 22% in 2016-2017).

Percentage of courses taught in English at the UPF 25,00%

20,00%

15,00%

10,00%

5,00%

0,00% 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016

The UPF: a trilingual and linguistically inclusive university

The UPF is a trilingual university: Catalan is recognized as its official language, Spanish as a joint official language and English as a working language. Both professors and students must have active knowledge in at least one of the three languages and passive knowledge of the other two.

The UPF, with approximately 12,500 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students, welcomes each year students of more than 100 nationalities. In addition to its trilingual policy (46.57% of the classes are held in Catalan, 31.25% in Spanish and 22.18% in English), the University accommodates bilingual students of other languages such as Mandarin and Wu (China); Xhosa, Berber and Walof (Africa) and Aymara, Quechua and Guaraní (South America), among others.

Mireia Calm ([email protected]) Sílvia Ruiz ([email protected]) Anna Sambola ([email protected])

Barcelona, 2017 April