New approaches to the why and how of English-medium Instruction: adopting Process Tracing

Despite the increase of EMI (English-medium Instruction) being at the forefront of current discussions in Applied Linguistics, a rigorous explanation of its causes has until recently been lacking from the literature. This talk will draw from the results of the interdisciplinary research project ELEMENTAL (English as the Language-of-Education Mechanisms in Europe: New Transdisciplinary Approaches in Linguistics) to discuss how the adoption of the Process Tracing methodology made a key contribution towards identifying the triggers of EMI. In particular, the talk focuses on the previously overlooked connection between changes in European university governance and the increase of EMI in higher education. The Polytechnic of Milan’s court case, which saw 100 members of academic staff sue their institution for its EMI-only policies, is presented as a case study to discuss triggers and obstacles to EMI implementation. The talk will introduce some key tenets of Process Tracing, discuss the context of EMI increase in European higher education and, more specifically, the events of the Polytechnic of Milan’s court case, and showcase how the method was used in the investigation, leading to key new findings.