Stakeholders’ perception of the academic writing needs of EMI university students and how these needs are met: a case study

Abstract

This study aims to explore the academic writing needs of university students studying in various departments of a state university in Ankara, Turkey, where the medium of instruction is fully or partially English, and whether these needs are met as perceived by the main stakeholders. Data come from questionnaires filled by undergraduate students studying in various departments (N=346), English language instructors teaching the English Preparatory school of the university (N=57), and professors teaching in various departments (N=35). Further data were collected via one-on-one semi structured follow up interview with volunteered English language instructors (N= 18) and department professors (N= 23). The results of the study reveal that the skill of writing taught in the preparatory school does not seem to match what different disciplines require in the departments as perceived by main stakeholders.