English as a medium of instruction in East and Southeast Asian universities

Abstract

In this chapter I shall consider the increasing shift to the use of English as a medium of instruction (EMI) in East and Southeast Asia, with the focus on the university sector. I shall also discuss possible implications of the trend towards EMI in Asian universities for the Australian university sector. The chapter begins with a brief discussion of the recently published Australian Government White Paper, Australia in the Asian Century and this is followed by summary of recent developments concerning the use of EMI in selected European universities. The main part of the paper reviews and discusses the adoption of EMI among selected universities in Asia. Some tentative predictions regarding the use of English and Asian languages in higher education in Australasia conclude the chapter.