Elisa Xinhui XU
While the European Union comprises different countries with diverse goals, the desire to increase cross-border mobility is a widely recognized consensus.
The number of English-taught bachelor’s programs (ETBs) in Europe in 2009 was practically 0, however in 2017, this number has grown to nearly 3000. The chart below shows the trend of the augmentation of ETBs in Europe from 2009 to 2017.
https://monitor.icef.com/2017/09/fifty-fold-increase-english-taught-bachelors-degrees-europe/
(Please click the link to find the chart)
The number of English-taught bachelor’s programmes offered by institutions in the European Association for International Education, 2009–2017. Source: EAIE/StudyPortals
Why are there fast-growing English-medium programs in Europe? What are the expectations and motivations? Depending on the survey, boosting internationalisation at European institutions, and raising school’s international profile are the main reasons. By developing English-medium programs, schools can attract more top talent at both the student and staff levels. The Academic Cooperation Association tracked the effects of these programs and based on the results, 84% thought these programs improved international awareness of the institution, and 81% mentioned strengthening the partnership with foreign institutions.
It is undeniable that English as the lingua franca is highly related to high academic performance, international mobility opportunities, and global employment. English-taught programs are not only common in European countries. In some other regions and countries such as Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore, and mainland China, English-speaking programs are growing at a fast speed. These programs are highly influenced by the status of English and strengthen linguistic imperialism in return. From some local students’ view, “teaching in English may endanger the survival of the local language and culture”. In addition, some domestic students may fear their insufficient proficiency in English.
English, as the common second language worldwide, has become more and more important, and this snowball effect may overvalue English and affect different nations in different ways. For native speakers of English, they may take more advantages from global opportunities and international communications. However, non-native speakers may accept this situation and study English at the expense of undervaluing their local language culture, if they want to integrate into the global market.
REFERENCES
ICEF Higher Education. (2017). Fifty-fold increase in English-taught bachelor’s degrees in Europe. ICEF Monitor. https://monitor.icef.com/2017/09/fifty-fold-increase-english-taught-bachelors-degrees-europe/
ICEF Higher Education. (2017). English-taught programmes in Europe up more than 300%. ICEF Monitor. https://monitor.icef.com/2015/06/english-taught-programmes-in-europe-up-more-than-300/
