English Medium Instruction in Japan
The internationalisation of higher education has contributed to the rapid expansion of English Medium Instruction (EMI) in Japan. The talk draws on empirical research on content learning outcomes in EMI programmes. It also includes a policy analysis of the final evaluation of the Top Global University Project. The findings highlight how the choice of medium influences academic outcomes. The talk also raises broader questions about fairness, inclusivity and the future direction of internationalisation in Japan.

Bio: Ikuya Aisawa is an Assistant Professor in Applied Linguistics at Nottingham university’s School of English. He lectures and supervises on the BA English Language and Literature and the MA Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching.

Before to moving to Nottingham in 2022, he completed his DPhil in Education in 2022 at the University of Oxford, having served as a tutor on the MSc ALSLA and a research assistant in the English Medium Instruction (EMI) Research Group. He also worked on the BA Japanese Studies at the School of English and Modern Languages at Oxford Brookes University.

Teams link: teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3aM_SoBsI8nakThXNUxEguh57-GSvT6JopDdhFnEBgr3I1%40thread.tacv2/1759499701700?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22cc95de1b-97f5-4f93-b4ba-fe68b852cf91%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22e0e2c03d-d313-4dab-bd7c-afbd83792648%22%7d
Date: 3 March 2026, 13:00
Venue: 15 Norham Gardens, 15 Norham Gardens OX2 6PY
Venue Details: Seminar Room G/H or Teams
Speaker: Dr Ikuya Aisawa (University of Nottingham)
Organising department: Department of Education
Organiser: Cate Hamilton (University of Oxford)
Part of: Applied Linguistics Lunchtime Seminar Series
Booking required?: Not required
Audience: Public
Editors: Hannah Freeman, Kristina Khoo, Shaena Sinclair