English as a Medium of Instruction at Turkish State Universities

Abstract

This paper reports a study that explores the role of English as a language of instruction (or English Medium Instruction (EMI)) in the Turkish higher education system problematizing it in Turkey in terms of the country’s possible inclusion in the European Union and globalization discourses as well as the possible exclusion of Turkish students who do not speak English. With that aim, a study was carried out to analyze the offer of EMI courses at the Turkish universities and the use of English in that context. Data were collected from the Turkish universities websites and the analyses show that there are more state than private universities in the country, most of which have websites in English whereas only 25% offer EMI courses and/or programs to attract international students. The discussion of the data addresses the use of English in the internationalization of higher education in relation to possible implications of offering EMI courses in that context.