UT Austin Hosts EMI Program for Taiwanese Universities
Faculty from ten Taiwanese universities, spanning fields from engineering and medicine to the arts and humanities, gathered at the University of Texas at Austin in July for the second round of an English-Medium Instruction (EMI) training program.
The program, held July 14–25, is a partnership between the NTNU Resource Center for EMI (RCEMI) and UT Austin’s English Language Center. It builds on last year’s inaugural session, expanding the range of academic disciplines represented and drawing senior administrators alongside teaching faculty.
Expanding Collaboration with UT Austin
The training combines bilingual education expertise from NTNU with UT Austin’s resources in faculty development. Organizers say the goal is to strengthen international collaboration in higher education and to refine EMI practices across Taiwanese universities.
Since its launch in 2024, the initiative has emphasized long-term impact. After completing the course, participants receive year-long mentorship to improve lesson planning and classroom practice. More than 20 follow-up exchanges and public observation sessions have further spread the program’s influence.
Curriculum Updates and New Tools
This year’s session introduced new elements. Michael Smith, director of UT Austin’s English Language Center, led a team of six instructors who designed small-group classes tailored to participants’ academic fields and English proficiency.
The program also tested new digital tools. Artificial intelligence was incorporated into lesson design, interactive activities, and simulations, with the aim of supporting faculty in managing large or mixed-level classrooms. NTNU’s RCEMI provided rubrics and evaluation forms that participants used during peer observation sessions.
Attendees were issued UT Austin student IDs and accounts, which gave them access to libraries, museums, campus facilities, and city transportation. Organizers said this was intended to give participants a fuller sense of academic life in the United States.
Faculty from Across Taiwan
Faculty from ten universities took part, including Chung Yuan Christian University, Kaohsiung Medical University, National Chengchi University, National Taichung University of Science and Technology, National Taiwan Normal University, National Taiwan University of Arts, Tamkang University, Feng Chia University, Tzu Chi University, and Fu Jen Catholic University. They represented fields ranging from science and engineering to medicine, social sciences, arts, and management. Participants said the program differed from earlier EMI initiatives by emphasizing pedagogy and classroom methods as much as language, and noted that cross-disciplinary discussions offered fresh approaches to their own teaching.
Looking Ahead
NTNU Vice President for Academic Affairs Mei-Hui Liu said the university will continue to expand international cooperation, calling it an important foundation for Taiwan’s higher education.
RCEMI Associate Director Sonya Fan said the renewed partnership with UT Austin reflects a long-term commitment to faculty development and international exchange.
Organizers expect the program to grow in the coming years, with more Taiwanese faculty from different fields taking part and adapting their teaching for English-speaking classrooms.