Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.22210/strjez/51-2/3
Students’ motivation for English-medium instruction and expectations related to language progress
Kornelija Čakarun
; University of Rijeka, Faculty of Economics and Business
Branka Drljača Margić
orcid.org/0000-0002-7617-6606
; University of Rijeka, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate English-medium instruction (EMI) students’ motivation
for an English-taught study programme, and the lack thereof among non-EMI students. The
goal is also for the first time in the Republic of Croatia to look into both EMI and non-EMI
students’ expectations related to their English language progress due to their studying, as well
as the fulfilment of their expectations. Motivation and expectations were examined at the
beginning of an undergraduate study programme at the Faculty of Economics and Business in
Rijeka, and the fulfilment of expectations was investigated at the end. The data were collected
by means of a questionnaire and interviews conducted with first- and third-year EMI and
non-EMI students. The findings from the interviews reveal that the EMI students are motivated
for EMI by a wish to improve their English language skills, as well as to continue their
studies and build their careers abroad, while the non-EMI students chose a Croatian-taught
programme because they had different interests and envisage potential language challenges.
Both groups of students expect that their English language knowledge will improve due to
their study. Third-year students confirm those expectations. While non-EMI students describe
their language progress primarily in discipline-specific vocabulary, EMI students also
report improved general communication skills and greater self-confidence when using English.
The findings of the study point to both EMI and non-EMI students’ need for courses
focusing on the English language itself.
Keywords
English-medium instruction (EMI), expectations, language progress, motivation
Hrčak ID:
289475
URI
Publication date:
20.12.2022.
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