ABSTRACT
While university-level work in the Kachruvian Inner Circle, and to a somewhat lesser extent in the Outer Circle, is conducted in English, the penetration of English as a medium of instruction (EMI) for university classes is also growing steadily in Expanding Circle contexts in Europe, Asia and elsewhere. Education has become a globalized industry, with keen competition among universities to attract the best minds. The chapter presents results of a qualitative empirical study in Nagoya, Japan. Three data sets were gathered and triangulated: surveys administered to graduates, surveys given to teachers/professors, and classroom observations. The chapter focuses primarily on the results of the survey of graduates’. The findings reveal that based on their real-life needs there is clear relevance and urgent need for ELF-informed approaches to English language pedagogy, not only in ‘4 skills’ classes, but also in EMI-based content classes. The data lends support for moving away from a Native Speakerist view of English, to one that prepares students for the realities they will face in today’s global classroom, and the globalized business world. The findings have implications which go far beyond Japan, to the increasing number of Expanding Circle institutions worldwide that offer EMI coursework.
