It’s Worth the Extra Effort: Behind Student Perceptions of Success in the Study of Content via English-Medium Instruction in Japan

This chapter introduces findings from a study of student perceptions of success towards EMI study, including their reasons for choosing whether to continue
taking EMI classes or study via their L1. Interviews with six Japanese undergraduate students from an international business management program were analysed using qualitative content analysis, identifying two key findings:
(1) EMI study can lead to greater (perceived) understanding of content knowledge because of the extra effort required to study via the L2; and (2) the
decision to continue studying via EMI involves a cost-benefit analysis of whether the extra effort will bring about subsidiary benefits, such as further L2 development. These findings indicate that EMI practitioners should consider (1) how additional benefits of EMI study can be demonstrated to learners, and (2) how the differing motivations of EMI learners can be attended to in support programmes.