Exploring cultural and linguistic diversity in the English-medium instruction university

Abstract

This study utilizes questionnaires, interviews, and universities' web content and strategy documents to investigate the reasons behind the rise of English-medium instruction in T & uuml;rkiye's higher education and its implications for intercultural communication. It identifies students' motives for choosing T & uuml;rkiye, such as educational quality, cultural ties, and affordability, and universities' aim to enhance their internationalization, linguistic and cultural diversity, reputation, and financial standing. Analysis of web pages shows that while introducing Turkish culture, universities often adopt an essentialist perspective that involves making nation-level generalizations, which may risk perpetuating stereotypes. Analysis of the internationalization strategies reveals an emphasis on English for internationalization and frequent references to values and attitudes toward cultural diversity but little to no emphasis on intercultural skills and critical understanding. Universities are employing diverse efforts to attract international students, but there remains potential for more comprehensive strategies to cultivate intercultural competence.