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On the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ (JYU) campus, it is common to see students from around the world socializing and studying together in English rather than Finnish. This reflects a broader global trend of higher education where English is increasingly becoming the language of choice in international academic settings. However, this shift presents a complex challenge for the university, students, and the student union. They must navigate the dilemma of maintaining ethnolinguistic nationalism—a view that languages symbolize national membership—and ensuring equality among diverse students by using English as the primary lingua franca. 

In her dissertation, MA Mai Shirahata analyses language policies, student interactions, and communication practices within the JYU community, focusing on shared beliefs and practices about languages. The analysis shows that multilingualism creates a mixed form of inclusion in the international student community. On the one hand, it helps students from different linguistic backgrounds create a shared student community. On the other hand, it highlights differences among students based on what languages they speak and where they are from.  

In academic settings, JYU most likely categorizes students as ‘native/native-like’ or ‘non-native’ English speakers, creating hierarchies based on where they received their previous education. The university often positions English as a language of higher education in Western countries including Finland. This dynamic may complicate peer relationships, with students sometimes viewing English as either a native language or a shared global language. Meanwhile, the student union face the challenge of balancing the use of the local language with English to ensure that all students feel included. 

Practical steps toward a more inclusive campus 

Shirahata offers several practical implications to address these challenges. Firstly, the university could clarify English proficiency requirements for admissions to the international master’s programs and consider separate quotas for ‘local’ and ‘international’ students with carefully defined criteria. Secondly, students can be encouraged to focus on developing academic language skills and to support each other as peers with varying levels of language proficiency. They might benefit from more social activities integrated into coursework and relaxed grading in group work. Lastly, the student union may utilize different modes of communication beyond just languages (such as illustrations, videos, and events) and leverage new technologies (such as machine translation tools). 

MA Mai Shirahata will defend her dissertation "Students navigating the paradoxical loop of essentialism: Language ideologies in internationalizing higher education" on 30 August 2024 at 12 noon in the Seminarium building (S212, the old assembly hall). The opponent is professor Adrian Holliday (Canterbury Christ Church University, UK) and custos is senior lecturer Malgorzata Lahti (Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥). The event is held in English.

The doctoral dissertation is available in the JYX digital repository:  

More information: mai.m.shirahata(a)jyu.fi