The Importance of Certification of English Medium Instruction teachers in Higher Education in Spain

Abstract

The growth of English medium instruction (EMI) courses in non-English-speaking countries has been mirrored by a growth in research into EMI teacher beliefs. Although this research has reported that EMI teachers find teaching content subjects in English (their second language) a challenge, virtually no research has investigated the competencies EMI teachers believe they need in order to deliver courses effectively and whether certification of those competencies is possible and/or desirable. Using questionnaires and interviews we investigated how much and what types of certification were currently available in Spain and the beliefs of teachers and managers in Spanish universities with regard to professional development and certification. We found overall strong support for both greater professional development and for certification, whilst some uncertainty remained as to how both of these desirables might be implemented and financed.

El incremento de cursos en inglés (EMI) en las universidades de países no anglófonos ha venido acompañado por un aumento de estudios sobre las creencias del profesorado. Aunque esta investigación arroja que el profesorado EMI encuentra dificultades al impartir asignaturas de contenido en inglés (su lengua extranjera), apenas existe investigación sobre las competencias que el profesorado EMI precisa para impartir estos cursos efectivamente o sobre si su certificación es posible y/o deseable. A través de cuestionarios y entrevistas se analizaron las creencias del profesorado y gestores universitarios españoles sobre dichas competencias y su certificación. Se observó una necesidad perentoria tanto de un mayor apoyo al desarrollo profesional como a la certificación, aunque se plantearon dudas sobre su implementación y financiación.