ENGLISH as a MEDIUM of INSTRUCTION (EMI)
The Council of Higher Education in Israel, initiated a language reform aimed at significantly improving the level of English language skills among university and college students. As such, students starting undergraduate studies from the academic year 2021-22 onwards, will be obliged to take a minimum of 2 courses in English during their degree. The courses can be the English learning courses (courses for “exemption” level) or EMI courses.
EMI – English as a Medium of Instruction, refers to using the English language to deliver academic content in non-English dominant settings, such as Israel. The focus in these courses is on the subject of study rather than the language itself. These courses are conducted in English, final projects and presentations are submitted in English, tests and quizzes are conducted in English.
The Shenkar International School offers a variety of EMI courses across all disciplines taught at Shenkar. These include core courses, electives and interdisciplinary courses. Please note that certain courses involve prerequisites.
You can find the full 2023- 2024 EMI course list here.
All EMI courses are open to international students studding at Shenkar as part of the student exchange agreements.
Shenkar’s International School, in conjunction with Shenkar’s English Unit offer the following support for students who are partaking in EMI courses:
- Additional English classes – For students who need to strengthen and improve their language skills, with the support of lecturers from the English Studies Unit. Tuition will be held individually or in small groups with students of a similar level of English; For more information please contact Dr. Ruti Bardenstein at the English unit (Ruti.Bardenstein@shenkar.ac.il).
- Educational assistance and support of HILA – Student Advancement Center – EMI students who are registered at HILA (due to learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, physical, sensory or mental disabilities, new immigrants) will be able to receive support tailored to their individual needs, such as assistance from a specialist in remedial teaching and learning strategies, personal mentoring by another student from the department, use of assistive technologies (such as reading software in English) and more. For more information, please contact the student coordinator at office-hila@shenkar.ac.il.
For any questions regarding this program, you can approach your department’s coordinator or contact studentexchange@shenkar.ac.il.