Friday, October 23, 2026
Science

Implicit language hierarchies in English-taught programs create ambivalent positions for multilingual students

A new study by Miki Shibata, a professor at Hiroshima University's Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, reveals a paradox in Japan's English-medium higher education: Official English instruction coexists with local peer expectations that drive classroom interactions back into Japanese.

Implicit language hierarchies in English-taught programs create ambivalent positions for multilingual students
Image: Phys.org
A new study by Miki Shibata, a professor at Hiroshima University's Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, reveals a paradox in Japan's English-medium higher education: Official English instruction coexists with local peer expectations that drive classroom interactions back into Japanese.

Originally published at Phys.org

The Morning Briefing

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Be the first to receive the latest news, market analysis and updates — delivered straight to your inbox.