Many universities have increasingly adopted English-Medium Instruction (EMI) to foster globalization and competitiveness. However, this change can pose challenges to students, particularly non-native English speakers. Thai medical students, for instance, may experience academic and personal stress. Therefore, identifying effective coping strategies is crucial for Thai medical students to succeed in an EMI environment. The study investigated medical students' learning strategies to deal with challenges while learning in an EMI context. The study adopted a qualitative research design through focus group interviews with 14 Thai third-year medical undergraduates. The participants were divided into groups based on their English proficiency (CEFR). They were asked about the challenges they faced and strategies they used while studying in the EMI pathology course. The results demonstrated that the students faced multiple challenges, especially linguistic and pedagogical issues. However, they employed various strategies to address these issues, such as enrolling in extra courses, reviewing the lessons, doing wider reading, and using online dictionaries. The implications of the study suggest that there should be pedagogical training for EMI lecturers. Furthermore, the lecturers should provide the appropriate support and resources in terms of content and language to help improve students' coping strategies.

Authors:
Thanatcha Ngamchatturat, Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand
Sirinthorn Seepho, Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand

About the Presenter(s)
Ms Thanatcha Ngamchatturat is a University Postdoctoral Fellow or Instructor at Suranaree University of Technology in Thailand

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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