Implementation of EMI in Bangladesh: perception of students and teachers of private universities

Abstract

English Medium Instruction (EMI) is a growing phenomenon all over the world. For various reasons including globalization, internationalization of universities, attracting foreign students, and to keep pace with current research higher institutions around the world are adopting English as a medium of instruction. The medium of study in almost all the private universities in Bangladesh is English. However, there is a growing concern as to what extent EMI is implementing in private universities. This study, qualitative in nature, explores the implementation of EMI in private universities in Bangladesh. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation data has been collected through online interviews since it was not possible to arrange face to face interviews. This study has revealed that numerous factors stand against implementing EMI in private universities but overall teachers and students have very favorable attitude towards EMI. Furthermore, participants have shared their assumption by realizing their experiences regarding how EMI helps students to get better job even in this competitive environment of the country. Nevertheless, participants have given quite a lot of suggestions that may help to reconstruct the policy in better shape.