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The Benefits, Challenges and Prospects of EMI in Croatia: An Integrated Perspective

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Integrating Content and Language in Multilingual Universities

Part of the book series: Educational Linguistics ((EDUL,volume 44))

Abstract

In this chapter, we discuss developments in internationalization and English medium instruction (EMI) in Croatian higher education (HE) and provide a comprehensive overview of University of Rijeka teachers’: (1) attitudes towards EMI, (2) experiences with EMI, (3) considerations regarding EMI and language policy, and (4) perspectives on a language development program for EMI (LD for EMI).

Drawing on previous studies, we present the benefits of EMI and its challenges as seen through the lens of the teachers involved in EMI and those who are not. By comparing teaching through English and Croatian, we analyze how the language of instruction affects the teaching–learning process and teacher self-esteem. Teachers’ reflections on LD for EMI offer insight into their learning and concerns and show that they are fully aware of the need for language support. Similarly, they highlight the program’s benefits and identify areas for improvement. The teachers’ views on the use of English and their native language in the classroom, language proficiency requirements, and the effect of English on Croatian suggest the need for a language-in-education policy.

By bringing together teachers’ views, experiences, needs, and expectations, the findings illuminate key steps and measures for addressing EMI challenges and capitalizing on its potential.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia

    Branka Drljača Margić & Irena Vodopija-Krstanović

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  1. Branka Drljača Margić
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  2. Irena Vodopija-Krstanović
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Correspondence to Branka Drljača Margić .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Slobodanka Dimova

  2. University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Joyce Kling

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Drljača Margić, B., Vodopija-Krstanović, I. (2020). The Benefits, Challenges and Prospects of EMI in Croatia: An Integrated Perspective. In: Dimova, S., Kling, J. (eds) Integrating Content and Language in Multilingual Universities. Educational Linguistics, vol 44. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46947-4_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46947-4_5

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