A High-Stakes Movement

Are English-taught courses a trend that western European countries should embrace? Is it time for rethinking and moderation? This chapter examines the movement toward English medium instruction (EMI) and the ways in which it is tied to internationalization, including student and faculty recruitment, scholarly work, and academic conferences. It examines the incentives and challenges for institutions, particularly the connection between EMI placement in international university rankings. It lays bare the benefits and burdens of EMI to faculty members and students and the divide in teaching and professional advancement opportunities between those who are proficient in English and those who are not. It addresses the concerns raised by scholars regarding “domain loss,” especially in the hard sciences, and the production and dissemination of knowledge. It examines steps that the Nordic countries have taken, particularly in “parallel instruction,” to internationalize their faculty and student body while preserving their national language.