South Korea: Student Attitudes and Difficulties with English-Medium Instruction (EMI) Courses in Four Elite South Korean Universities

This study examines the educational reality of using English as a medium of instruction for course delivery at four elite universities in South Korea. 1333 students were surveyed via questionnaires with open-ended questions which investigated three issues: (i) perceptions of students’ own English language proficiency and that of others, (ii) difficulties in using English in EMI courses, and (iii) attitudes towards EMI courses. In contrast to many previous findings, this study reports that students, particularly non-STEM students, had positive attitudes towards EMI courses and rated their own and their professors’ English proficiency quite highly. Students’ positive attitudes towards EMI courses were associated with their confidence in their English abilities and their critical acknowledgement of the importance of English for their future career advancement. Finally, this study discusses pedagogical implications for EMI courses and argues that the general perception of Koreans as bad English speakers needs to be critically challenged.