Factors affecting students’ English proficiency in a Turkish EMI University: a phenomenological study

Abstract

This paper reports on an investigation of Turkish English-medium university students’ perceptions of the change in their language ability and the factors affecting this change. Results revealed that 1) when students are highly exposed to English and are expected to use it productively for their studies, they perceive that there is greater development in their language skills and abilities 2) students think that corrective feedback plays a crucial role in helping them focus their attention on the form 3) speaking is perceived to be the weakest and the least improved skill over the years. These findings suggest insightful implications for English-medium universities in Turkey and all around the world.