English as a Medium of Instruction for Lecturers

 This professional development course is designed to help university lecturers whose first language is not English to:

  • enhance their English to teach international student cohorts
  • improve their language proficiency for delivering presentations in English
  • fine-tune their English for communicating with international colleagues

Overview

EMI for Lecturers is a 10-week part-time course which is delivered to University of Worcester partner institutions. It is taught via interactive sessions over 9 weeks on Zoom and a week of in-person classes during a visit to the University of Worcester.

The course aims to:

  • explore issues concerning English as a medium of instruction in higher education.
  • improve course participants' use of English in different academic contexts, from lectures and tutorials to conferences and online discussions. 

 

Good teaching, examples from life, nice stay in Worcester, high level on the material for a non-native who is trying to speak English. Everything was useful and good.

Heidi Norrström, Assistant Professor PhD/Senior Lecturer, Halmstad University Sweden
November 2023

Course delivery

Course delivery: Taught sessions are interactive and activities are communicative, offering participants opportunity to practise and develop their language use. Delivery takes place via:

  • Face-to-face sessions through a virtual classroom and on-campus classes at University of Worcester
  • 1-to-1 tutorials (online)
  • Self-study through a virtual learning environment
  • Sharing experience through a community of practice with University of Worcester peers*

*Where colleagues in relevant disciplines at the University of Worcester are available

Maximum group size: 20

Sample content

Pre-course study

Self-evaluation and needs analysis

Weeks 1-8

The content will be adapted to suit the pre-course needs analysis and may cover a range of relevant topics, such as:

  • Creating a supportive learning environment for international student groups

  • Strategies and language needed to effectively and efficiently start lectures

  • Techniques and language for engaging students

  • Communicating lecture structure

  • Using voice to focus attention and deliver the message

  • Describing figures and tables

  • Checking understanding and answering student questions clearly

  • Developing assignments in English, with a focus on appropriate academic terms as well as grammar

  • Language for giving constructive feedback, both spoken and in writing

  • Language for communicating with students via email and other channels

  • Improving grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation for teaching in higher education

  • Discussing pedagogy and exploring different classroom practices

Week 9

University of Worcester visit:

  • Language development input sessions
  • On-campus lecture observation and follow-up discussion / micro-teaching practice sessions (face to face) where possible
  • Social programme

Week 10

  • Developing an individual action plan for continuing language improvement.
  • Investigating the set-up of further sessions for maintenance and ongoing development of language skills
  • Exploring options for finding further opportunities for collaboration within specialist subject area.

Study load and assessment

Self-study: 40-60 hours

Guided/taught sessions: 40 hours

Total: approximately 80-100 hours (not including travel time or social programme)

Assessment: Tasks set during the course are optional and not assessed. Participants' professional development is supported via coaching, feedback and reflection.

Certificate of Attendance: Upon satisfactory attendance and completion of the programme, participants will be eligible for a certificate of attendance from the University of Worcester.

Entry requirements

This course is designed for non-native speakers of English who use English as the medium of instruction in higher education. To fully benefit from the course, an English language level of CEFR B2 or higher is required.

Dates and fees

Course dates: The course dates are arranged in consultation with participating institutions. Please contact Melanie Jarman to express your institution's interest in the course.

Course fees: The course fees are based on a group of up to 15 participants. They are available on request. Please contact Melanie Jarman for more information.