1887
  1. Home
  2. e-Journals
  3. Language Problems and Language Planning
  4. Online First Articles
  5. Online First Article
image of Language ideologies and practices of international students in a course in Chinese for Academic Purposes (CAP)
USD
Buy:$35.00 + Taxes

Abstract

Despite the increased international use of English-medium instruction in higher education, little attention has been given to the language-related experiences of international students in non-Anglophone settings where local or national languages are used for academic purposes. This study explores the language ideologies and practices of a cohort of international students studying in a CAP course. Based on a large ethnographic study, the findings demonstrate that (i) international students tend to see Chinese as burdensome and of low value in science and technology; (ii) they have little interest in, and low motivation for, the CAP course because of complex linguistic, pedagogical, institutional, ideological factors; (iii) they engage in multilingual practices for empowerment in the CAP classroom. The study emphasizes the need for dynamic, locally contextualized language policies and curriculum design to improve outcomes for international students, offering insights about CAP in higher education and South-South student mobility in China and beyond.

© John Benjamins Publishing Company
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1075/lplp.25002.don
2026-05-05
2026-05-11

  • From This Site

    /content/journals/10.1075/lplp.25002.don
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Journal -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Airey, J., Lauridsen, K. M., Räsänen, A., Salö, L., & Schwach, V.
    (2017) The expansion of English-medium instruction in the Nordic countries: Can top-down university language policies encourage bottom-up disciplinary literacy goals?. Higher education, , –. 10.1007/s10734‑015‑9950‑2
     https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-015-9950-2 [Google Scholar]
  2. Akhtar, N., Pratt, C. B., & Hu, Y.
    (2019) Sustainability of the Belt and Road Initiative: An integrated, conceptual framework for instructional communication in China’s universities. Sustainability, (), –. 10.3390/su11236789
     https://doi.org/10.3390/su11236789 [Google Scholar]
  3. An, R., & Chiang, S. Y.
    (2015) International students’ culture learning and cultural adaptation in China. Journal of multilingual and multicultural development, (), –. 10.1080/01434632.2015.1009080
     https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2015.1009080 [Google Scholar]
  4. Dong, J., & Han, Y.
    (2024) Examining Chinese teachers’ emotional vulnerability of teaching international students in an English medium instruction programme. System, , 103297.
     [Google Scholar]
  5. Blommaert, J.
    (2005) Discourse: A Critical Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 10.1017/CBO9780511610295
     https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511610295 [Google Scholar]
  6. Canagarajah, A. S.
    (2005) Reclaiming the local in language policy and practice. New York: Routledge. 10.4324/9781410611840
     https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410611840 [Google Scholar]
  7. Chibaka, E. F.
    (2018) Advantages of bilingualism and multilingualism: Multidimensional research findings. Multilingualism and bilingualism, . 10.5772/intechopen.74625
     https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.74625 [Google Scholar]
  8. Curdt-Christiansen, X. L.
    (2014) “Planning for Development or Decline? Education Policy for Chinese Language in Singapore.” Critical Inquiry in Language Studies. (), –. 10.1080/15427587.2014.871621
     https://doi.org/10.1080/15427587.2014.871621 [Google Scholar]
  9. Fallon, T.
    (2014) Chinese fever and cool heads: Confucius Institutes and China’s national identities. China Media Research, (), –.
     [Google Scholar]
  10. Fu, J., & Wang, Y.
    (2022) Inspecting EFL teachers’ academic literacy development in multilingual contexts: A global vision. Heliyon, ():–. 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12143
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12143 [Google Scholar]
  11. Gao, X., & Hua, Z.
    (2021) Experiencing Chinese education: Learning of language and culture by international students in Chinese universities. Language, Culture and Curriculum, (), –. 10.1080/07908318.2020.1871002
     https://doi.org/10.1080/07908318.2020.1871002 [Google Scholar]
  12. Galloway, N., & Numajiri, T.
    (2020) Global Englishes language teaching: Bottom-up curriculum implementation. Tesol Quarterly, (), –. 10.1002/tesq.547
     https://doi.org/10.1002/tesq.547 [Google Scholar]
  13. Gong, Y., Ma, M., Hsiang, T. P., & Wang, C.
    (2020) Sustaining international students’ learning of Chinese in China: Shifting motivations among New Zealand students during study abroad. Sustainability, (), . 10.3390/su12156289
     https://doi.org/10.3390/su12156289 [Google Scholar]
  14. Gorter, D., & Cenoz, J.
    (2017) Language education policy and multilingual assessment. Language and Education, (), –. 10.1080/09500782.2016.1261892
     https://doi.org/10.1080/09500782.2016.1261892 [Google Scholar]
  15. Gu, M. M., Kou, Z. C., & Guo, X. G.
    (2017) Understanding Chinese language teachers’ language ideologies in teaching South Asian students in Hong Kong. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. :, –. 10.1080/13670050.2017.1332000
     https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050.2017.1332000 [Google Scholar]
  16. He, J. J., & Chiang, S. Y.
    (2016) Challenges to English-medium instruction (EMI) for international students in China: A learners’ perspective: English-medium education aims to accommodate international students into Chinese universities, but how well is it working?. English today, (), –. 10.1017/S0266078416000390
     https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266078416000390 [Google Scholar]
  17. Hornberger, N. H., & Hult, F. M.
    (2008) Ecological language education policy. InSpolsky, B., Hult, F. M., & Wiley, J. (Eds.). The handbook of educational linguistics (pp.–). Blackwell Pub. 10.1002/9780470694138.ch20
     https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470694138.ch20 [Google Scholar]
  18. Hu, G., & Lei, J.
    (2014) English-medium instruction in Chinese higher education: A case study. Higher education, , –. 10.1007/s10734‑013‑9661‑5
     https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-013-9661-5 [Google Scholar]
  19. Kerfoot, C., & Simon-Vandenbergen, A. M.
    (2015) Language in epistemic access: Mobilising multilingualism and literacy development for more equitable education in South Africa. Language and Education, (), –. 10.1080/09500782.2014.994522
     https://doi.org/10.1080/09500782.2014.994522 [Google Scholar]
  20. Krippendorf, K., & Bock, M. A.
    (2009) The Content Analysis Reader. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications, Inc.
     [Google Scholar]
  21. Kroskrity, P. V.
    (2010) Language ideologies-Evolving perspectives. Society and language use, (), –. 10.1075/hoph.7.13kro
     https://doi.org/10.1075/hoph.7.13kro [Google Scholar]
  22. Kubota, R.
    (2016) The multi/plural turn, postcolonial theory, and neoliberal multiculturalism: Complicities and implications for applied linguistics. Applied Linguistics, (), –. 10.1093/applin/amu045
     https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/amu045 [Google Scholar]
  23. Kuteeva, M.
    (2020) Revisiting the “E”in EMI: Students’ perceptions of standard English, lingua franca and translingual practices. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, (), –. 10.1080/13670050.2019.1637395
     https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050.2019.1637395 [Google Scholar]
  24. Le Ha, P.
    (2018) Higher education, English, and the idea of ‘the West’: Globalizing and encountering a global south regional university. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, (), –. 10.1080/01596306.2018.1448704
     https://doi.org/10.1080/01596306.2018.1448704 [Google Scholar]
  25. Li, X.
    (2015) International students in China: Cross-cultural interaction, integration, and identity construction. Journal of language, identity & education, (), –. 10.1080/15348458.2015.1070573
     https://doi.org/10.1080/15348458.2015.1070573 [Google Scholar]
  26. Liddicoat, A.
    (2018) Constraints on agency in micro-language policy and planning in schools : a case study of curriculum change. InJ. Bouchard, & G. P. Glasgow, (Eds.) Agency in Language Policy and Planning : Critical Inquiries. Routledge Critical Studies in Multilingualism (pp.149–170). New York; London: CRC Press: Routledge. www.worldcat.org/oclc/1061877819. 10.4324/9780429455834‑6
     https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429455834-6 [Google Scholar]
  27. Liddicoat, A. J., & Taylor-Leech, K.
    (2015) Multilingual education: The role of language ideologies and attitudes. Current Issues in Language Planning, (), –. 10.1080/14664208.2015.995753
     https://doi.org/10.1080/14664208.2015.995753 [Google Scholar]
  28. Li, J., Xie, P., Ai, B., & Li, L. S.
    (2020a) Multilingual communication experiences of international students during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Multilingua, (), –. 10.1515/multi‑2020‑0116
     https://doi.org/10.1515/multi-2020-0116 [Google Scholar]
  29. Li, J., Ai, B., & Zhang, J.
    (2020b) Negotiating language ideologies in learning Putonghua: Myanmar ethnic minority students’ perspectives on multilingual practices in a borderland school. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, (), –. 10.1080/01434632.2019.1678628
     https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2019.1678628 [Google Scholar]
  30. May, S.
    (Ed.) (2013) The multilingual turn: Implications for SLA, TESOL, and bilingual education. London and New York: Routledge. 10.4324/9780203113493
     https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203113493 [Google Scholar]
  31. MOE
    MOE (2000) A Notice for the Implementation of the Administrative Rules on the Acceptance of Foreign Students by Colleges and Universities. www.moe.edu.cn/publicfiles/business/htmlfiles/moe/moe_861/200506/8653.html
  32. MOE
    MOE (2010a) The Study in China Program. Beijing: MOE (Ministry of Education, PRC). www.gov.cn/zwgk/2010-09/28/content_1711971.htm
     [Google Scholar]
  33. MOE
    MOE (2010b) The Outline of Medium and Long-Term Education Reform and Development Planning (2010–2020)]. Beijing: MOE (Ministry of Education, PRC).
     [Google Scholar]
  34. MOE
    MOE (2019) Statistics on study in China in 2018. www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xwfb/gzdt_gzdt/s5987/201904/t20190412_377692.html
  35. Official website of SEU
    Official website of SEU (2021) College of international students. Chinese center — courses — Chinese for specific purposes. https://cis.seu.edu.cn/hwenglish/
  36. Paradise, J. F.
    (2009) China and international harmony: The role of Confucius Institutes in bolstering Beijing’s soft power. Asian Survey, (), –. 10.1525/as.2009.49.4.647
     https://doi.org/10.1525/as.2009.49.4.647 [Google Scholar]
  37. Ricento, T.
    (Ed.) (2000) Ideology, politics, and language policies: Focus on English. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. 10.1075/impact.6
     https://doi.org/10.1075/impact.6 [Google Scholar]
  38. School of Software (SS) at X University
    School of Software (SS) at X University (2019) Syllabus of ‘Computer Chinese-Reading and Communication’.
     [Google Scholar]
  39. Schweller, R. L., & Pu, X.
    (2011) After unipolarity: China’s visions of international order in an era of US decline. International Security, (), –. 10.1162/ISEC_a_00044
     https://doi.org/10.1162/ISEC_a_00044 [Google Scholar]
  40. Shields, R., & Edwards, R. M.
    (2010) Student mobility and emerging hubs in global higher education. InHigher education, policy, and the global competition phenomenon (pp.–). New York: Palgrave Macmillan US. 10.1057/9780230106130_17
     https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230106130_17 [Google Scholar]
  41. Shohamy, E.
    (2006) Language policy: Hidden agendas and new approaches. New York: Routledge. 10.4324/9780203387962
     https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203387962 [Google Scholar]
  42. Spolsky, B.
    (2004) Language Policy. Cambridge University Press.
     [Google Scholar]
  43. (2009) Language Management. Cambridge University Press. 10.1017/CBO9780511626470
     https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511626470 [Google Scholar]
  44. Summers, T.
    (2021) The belt and road initiative in Southwest China: Responses from Yunnan province. The Pacific Review, (), –. 10.1080/09512748.2019.1653956
     https://doi.org/10.1080/09512748.2019.1653956 [Google Scholar]
  45. Sung, C. C. M.
    (2022) English only or more?: Language ideologies of international students in an EMI university in multilingual Hong Kong. Current Issues in Language Planning, (), –. 10.1080/14664208.2021.1986299
     https://doi.org/10.1080/14664208.2021.1986299 [Google Scholar]
  46. Vanbuel, M.
    (2022) How stakeholders see the implementation of language education policy: A Q-study. Current Issues in Language Planning, (), –. 10.1080/14664208.2021.1928427
     https://doi.org/10.1080/14664208.2021.1928427 [Google Scholar]
  47. Tao, H., & Chen, H. H. J.
    (2019) Chinese for specific and professional purposes. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 10.1007/978‑981‑13‑9505‑5
     https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-9505-5 [Google Scholar]
  48. Trace, J., Hudson, T., & Brown, J. D.
    (2015) An overview of language for specific purposes. InJ. Trace, T. Hudson, & J. Brown (Eds.), Developing courses in languages for specific purposes (pp.–). National Foreign Language Resource Center, University of Hawaii.
     [Google Scholar]
  49. Wang, Y.
    (2017) Language policy in Chinese higher education: A focus on international students in China. European Journal of Language Policy, (), –. https://www.muse.jhu.edu/article/657322. 10.3828/ejlp.2017.4
     https://doi.org/10.3828/ejlp.2017.4 [Google Scholar]
  50. Wang, W., & Curdt-Christiansen, X. L.
    (2016) Teaching Chinese to international students in China: Political rhetoric and ground realities. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, (), –. 10.1007/s40299‑016‑0316‑z
     https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-016-0316-z [Google Scholar]
  51. Wang, J., & Xu, W.
    (2024) Conflictual language ideologies and mismatched language practices of Thai international students at a Chinese-medium instruction university. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, (), –.
     [Google Scholar]
  52. Wiley, T.
    (2000) Continuity and change in the function of language ideologies in the United States. InT. Ricento (Ed.), Ideology, politics, and language policies: Focus on English (pp.–). New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum. 10.1075/impact.6.07wil
     https://doi.org/10.1075/impact.6.07wil [Google Scholar]
  53. Wu, M. Y., Zhai, J., Wall, G., & Li, Q. C.
    (2021) Understanding international students’ motivations to pursue higher education in mainland China. Educational Review, (), –. 10.1080/00131911.2019.1662772
     https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2019.1662772 [Google Scholar]
  54. Xu, W.
    (2024) Studying Chinese, studying in Chinese and studying with the Chinese: international students’ experiences and identity construction in Chinese-medium instruction (CMI) programs. Studies in Higher Education, –. 10.1080/03075079.2024.2383950
     https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2024.2383950 [Google Scholar]
  55. Xu, C. L., & Montgomery, C.
    (2019) Educating China on the move: A typology of contemporary Chinese higher education mobilities. Review of Education, (), –. 10.1002/rev3.3139
     https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3139 [Google Scholar]
  56. Xu, W., Ma, J., & Zhou, P.
    (2023) Investment, Chinese language learning and imagined identities: A case study of African international students in China. Journal of Language, Identity & Education, –. 10.1080/15348458.2023.2259984
     https://doi.org/10.1080/15348458.2023.2259984 [Google Scholar]
  57. Xu, W., Stahl, G., & Cheng, H.
    (2023) The promise of Chinese: African international students and linguistic capital in Chinese higher education. Language and Education, (), –. 10.1080/09500782.2022.2074797
     https://doi.org/10.1080/09500782.2022.2074797 [Google Scholar]
  58. Yuan, Z. M., & Li, C. N.
    (2024) Investigating English-medium instruction for international students in China. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, (), –. 10.1080/01434632.2021.1965614
     https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2021.1965614 [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.1075/lplp.25002.don
Loading
Language ideologies and practices of international students in a course in Chinese for Academic Purposes (CAP)
John Benjamins ; https://doi.org/10.1075/lplp.25002.don
/content/journals/10.1075/lplp.25002.don
/content/journals/10.1075/lplp.25002.don
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Research Article
Keywords: South-South migration ; Chinese for academic purposes (CAP) ; language ideologies and practices ; student mobility ; international students

Most Cited

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was successful
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error