History of the project/How was the training developed?
In Serbia, there is a need for more university courses in foreign languages (primarily in English) with the aim not only to increase the number of foreign students but also to make higher education institutions more competitive in the European and global educational landscape, and to enhance the scientific and professional reach of university teachers.
One of the main reasons for the lack of these programmes is closely related to the lack of skills among university teachers to teach their subjects in English. Even though they speak English and use it professionally and for academic purposes, the vast majority have never received any training or guidance on how to prepare and conduct classes in a foreign language.
This was confirmed by representatives of key universities and higher education institutions in a series of meetings held in 2018. and 2019. In 2019, the Foundation Tempus and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia jointly organized with the aim of creating conditions for the internationalization of Serbian higher education. One of the conclusions was that there were many teachers and researchers at universities in Serbia who speak foreign languages and regularly publish in international journals, but who would need additional resources and support if they were asked to teach in a foreign language. Based on these meetings, a series of actions have been undertaken, including changes in policies, an intensified campaign to promote opportunities for international students, as well as courses for teachers at four universities.
The project Supporting Internationalization of Serbian Higher Education through Courses of English as Medium of Instruction (EMI) was conceived in 2019. designed as one of the key points within the Study in Serbia initiative, aimed at supporting the process of internationalization of the education system of the Republic of Serbia and increasing the number of foreign students in Serbia. At that time, the first cycle of training was also organized.
After the break in 2020, in the year following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation Tempus continued to make additional efforts to ensure the continuity of training implementation. The idea proved to be entirely in line with the concept of the English Language Small Grants programme, which is supported and funded by the Embassy of the United States in Serbia, and in the following years, four more training cycles were secured (2021-2024).
Mission and vision
Our mission is to enhance the quality of teaching in English through the application of innovative methods adapted to the international educational environment. The project aims to strengthen the competencies of teachers and lecturers at higher education institutions when teaching in English, with the goal of enhancing their competitiveness in the global job market.
The vision of the project is to create an internationally recognizable higher education system in which accredited study programs in English are developed in accordance with global quality standards, thereby promoting mobility, internationalization, and academic excellence for all participants in the educational process.
Training Objectives
The main goals of the training are to enhance the language skills of lecturers at higher education institutions within the field-specific language, as well as to master the knowledge and possibilities of applying teaching methodology in instruction tailored to an international environment in English. By completing this course, participants are empowered to implement entire study programs in English, thereby promoting the process of internationalization of higher education institutions in Serbia.
Who is the training intended for?
Lecturers who are actively engaged in teaching at the University of Belgrade, the University of Novi Sad, the University of Niš, and the University of Kragujevac, with at least a B2 level of proficiency in the English language, can apply for the training. Participants are required to already have language skills at the specified level, and during the training, they will activate and practice their application for innovative ways of working with students. The training is not directly aimed at raising general language competencies in English and does not focus on improving the level of foreign language knowledge; rather, the specified level of knowledge is a prerequisite since the goal of the training is to enhance the quality of English language teaching through the application of innovative methods tailored to the international environment. The detailed conditions, selection, and application methods are defined in the public call.
The possibility of organizing training at other higher education institutions
Since the EMI project is currently focused on improving the quality of English language teaching and the internationalization of higher education at four universities in Serbia, the Foundation Tempus is open to collaboration with other interested universities and faculties that wish to strengthen the capacities of their teachers and enhance their English language study programs.
We are aware that each institution has specific needs – that is why we are ready to tailor the training both thematically and in duration according to your goals while adhering to the established training quality standards.
If you are interested in having the EMI training organized at your higher education institution, you can contact us for more information at the following email address: emi@tempus.ac.rs or higher-education@tempus.ac.rs.
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The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Belgrade has recognized the importance of training for lecturers to teach in English and has started an initiative that resulted in the decision by the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission of the National Entity for Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education (NEAQA) to recognize EMI training as a criterion for the competencies of teachers and associates for conducting classes in English.
