Applying Content-based Instruction with a College Subject Course in an EFL Classroom

Applying Content-based Instruction with a College Subject Course in an EFL Classroom

This paper aims to introduce the design and implementation of the course“International Business Etiquette and Communication”through content-based instruction (CBI) in an EFL classroom. It also examines how students perceive the effectiveness of this CBI mediated course in terms of content knowledge and English language learning. Forty-two non-English major students from a college in Northern Taiwan, with low intermediate English proficiency, participated in this study. Content knowledge of universal and culture-specific business etiquette rules was explored throughout the course. In groups, a variety of activities, such as role-play, watching video clips, oral presentation, etc, were designed to introduce students to the course content and concurrently work on students’language skills. The integration of textbook and authentic supplemental materials was systematically introduced in the class. Evaluation sheets were provided for students to observe and evaluate their peer’s group work. Finally, questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore what students had learned from this course. The results from the final evaluation revealed students’gains both with the content knowledge and language abilities. In addition, positive responses were also reported on students’improvements from cooperative learning in groups as well as their lowered anxiety in the English language use and communication.