The importance of input and interaction, and the language therein, has not only been demonstrated in the field of applied linguistics but also in the field of education although, as yet, the two fields have rarely talked to each other. That they should engage in a theoretical and empirical dialogue is probably nowhere more evident than in the context of English medium instruction (EMI) in higher education.

In this presentation, Professor Ernesto Macaro will touch on:

• the role of vocabulary knowledge in comprehension
• the explanation of difficult concepts
• the advantages and disadvantages of codeswitching
• the kinds of competencies that EMI teachers are likely to need
• the potential for collaboration between content teachers and English language specialists

Examples from mathematics and science education will be used to illustrate some of these issues.

Speaker profiles

Ernesto Macaro is Emeritus Professor of Applied Linguistics and a Senior Research Fellow at Worcester College, University of Oxford. He is the founding Director of the Centre for Research and Development in English Medium Instruction (EMI) in the department. He was also the Director of the department from 2013 to 2016.

His research focuses on second language learning strategies and on the interaction between teachers and learners in second language classrooms and in those where English is the medium of instruction.

Who should attend

Research staff and postgraduate students