Teaching research over several academic years in High Academic Performance groups IV

Abstract

The Valencian Community has implemented English Medium Instruction (EMI) to promote teaching and learning in English since this is the main language in science. EMI is implemented in the High Academic Performance (ARA, Spanish acronym) groups in some degrees within the University of Alicante. The objective of this study is to know if students and professors would like to participate in ARA groups if they were created in degrees other than those were they are already established, as well as the level of satisfaction of both students and professors in these groups. To carry out the study, surveys were given to students and professors from the Faculty of Science of the University of Alicante. Results show that more than half of non-ARA students would be interested in the implementation of such a group in their degree, particularly those in Chemistry. Both professors and students agree that the knowledge acquired by ARA students does not differ significantly to that of non-ARA students, and both collectives agree in that belonging to an ARA group will not guarantee a better academic performance. Despite this, both students and professors agree that being part of an ARA group could benefit them professionally and academically due to a more proficient use of English and the reduced number of students in practical and theoretical lectures. Our study illustrates the demand from professors and students to establish a teaching groups in English in all science degrees, and the need for long term studies to evaluate their success.