Reflecting on the changing university

Conference on the use of English in higher education

The use of English in higher education is a 'hot issue'. In current discussions, the topic is often mentioned in the same breath as, and narrowed down to, the discussion on internationalisation and the intake of international students. From 18 to 21 October, a conference will be organised in Maastricht that will address this topic in its full breadth: from the impact of using English in the classroom, university and society to the impact of learning and teaching through other languages.

English-medium instruction

English has become a central factor in the internationalization of universities. English-medium instruction or EMI, as it is usually called, is considered by universities as an expression of internationalization. EMI is seen both as a sign of Englishization of higher education and an opportunity for students in an increasingly globalized world.

The conference examines its effects on other languages, on the nature of knowledge, on the status of a language as an academic language, on the design and quality of teaching and learning, and on national and local cultural identity.

It is valuable not only to reflect on the impact of the use of English over the past two or three decades, but also to take a look at significance of this phenomenon for the future. Is Dutch disappearing as an academic language? Can students still express themselves well enough in Dutch after their studies to do work where the mother tongue is spoken? Is Englishification widening the gap between science and society?

Also read