Israeli engineering students’ perceptions of EMI: Needs and learning strategies

Abstract – The implementation of English-medium instruction (EMI) is expanding rapidly in higher education worldwide. In Israel, the Council of Higher Education Israel’s 2019 reform includes EMI integration to enhance internationalisation. Despite its growing adoption, there is limited research on its impact on Israeli students, particularly from their perspectives. This study investigates perceived needs of BSc engineering students at an engineering college in Israel in the context of four EMI courses. Pre- and post-course interviews with 37 students explored their experiences with course content, language proficiency challenges, and resource utilisation. Findings reveal that complex material, exams in English, and understanding lectures challenge students and influence their needs. This results in them deploying proactive, self-regulated strategies to cope with EMI course content through digital resources. The study highlights the importance of providing tailored language support and continuous assistance to help students self-regulate their study skills and judicious use of digital tools. Integrating EAP as a foundational element to leverage students’ self-study skills and use of tools for language learning can facilitate effective learning in EMI settings.