The Realities of English Medium Instruction in Lebanon: Teachers’ and Students’ Perceptions of the Place of English Communication Skills in a Cultural Studies Program

Abstract

This study investigates the transfer of communication skills acquired in a Lebanese university. All eight professors teaching in the four courses in the Cultural Studies program that are taught in English were interviewed to elicit their beliefs and perceptions about students’ communicative skill in English and about their responsibility as Cultural Studies professors to develop the skill. Student focus groups were also conducted to glean insight into students’ perceptions of the function of the Cultural Studies courses in their overall academic development and if they were aware of transferring skill in English to the cultural studies context. The results showed that teachers and students do not believe that Cultural Studies courses promote the enhancement of English communication skills. In addition, students do not equate reading in Cultural Studies with communication skill development.