In-Class EMI Challenges Arising in an Arabian Gulf Engineering Programme

Holi Ibrahim Holi

SAGE Open, 2025, vol. 15, issue 3, 21582440251367125

Abstract: This paper draws on the researcher’s PhD research and thesis, which investigated Omani engineering students’ in-class learning-related barriers in an Omani English-medium engineering programme. An interpretive qualitative design was used to examine students’ EMI in-class-related challenges and difficulties. Semi-structured interviews were utilized to collect the main data of the study. Twelve engineering students, eight engineering teachers and five EAP instructors. Subsequent classroom observations of four EAP and four engineering workshops yielded field notes to provide further context. Data were analysed thematically. Findings pointed to salient classroom-related problems in EMI varied in their nature; some related to reading, writing and speaking skills, as well as spontaneous classroom discussions and oral tasks. These challenges varied from one specific engineering discipline to another due to the conceptual and epistemological differences between them. Additionally, the study identified the most significant obstacles including insufficient previous learning, the inadequacy of pre-sessional and in-sessional course resources, limited interaction between EAP instructors and subject tutors, and inadequate teacher development opportunities in EMI offered to subject tutors. The original study showed that various measures can be taken to improve EMI. Whilst findings resonate with other studies of EMI classrooms across the globe, this study provides a unique contribution by considering specific case of Omani engineering programmes. Conclusions were drawn and recommendations are now made for EMI policy, teacher collaboration and teacher development.

Keywords: English-medium engineering programme; EMI; in-class EMI-related challenges; key debilitating factors; Arabian Gulf students; engineering students (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21582440251367125 (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:sagope:v:15:y:2025:i:3:p:21582440251367125

DOI: 10.1177/21582440251367125

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in SAGE Open
Bibliographic data for series maintained by SAGE Publications ().