Resumen de Perceptions of the Englishization of higher education in Taiwan: implementation and implications

Han-Yi Lin

• This research investigates the process of Englishization in Taiwan’s higher education in the global context. Using semi-structured interviews, it explores perceptions regarding the implementation and implications of Englishization at the tertiary level. The results indicate that while the process of Englishization in Taiwanese higher education is policy-driven and market-oriented, the degree and effect of Englishization is diversified and restricted due to institutional stratification, disciplinary divergence, and linguistic constraints. The effect of Englishization on Taiwan’s higher education can be identified in the following aspects: the dominance of English in academic practices, specialization of English-medium services in the administration, specialization of English-medium courses and programs for international students, the emphasis of English-medium performance in academic and administrative recruitment. The implementation of Englishization in Taiwanese higher education institutions (HEIs) can be regarded as pragmatic and strategic responses to the globalization of higher education, the dominance of English in global academia, and the resources and constraints in the local context. The interviewees’ responses not only indicate the perceived value of English as well as the scarcity of English in Taiwan, but also the constraints on language choice and the divergence of institutional and disciplinary approaches to Englishization at the tertiary level in Taiwan.