The growing phenomenon of university courses designated as English-medium-instruction (EMI) worldwide presents new demands for non-native-English-speaking educators. However, adequate preparation and professional learning support for them to teach academic subjects in English remain a challenge. An understanding of their challenges and professional learning (PL) needs in EMI teaching is critically needed. This review examines 115 articles in English and Chinese on PL for EMI educators in HE, covering numerous countries. It critically reviews the literature to identify the common challenges in EMI teaching, and how and to what extent educators are prepared and supported for EMI teaching. Findings revealed EMI educators are often found unprepared and/or inadequately supported for their new roles. They face multiple challenges when embarking on EMI teaching. The review reveals misalignments between challenges facing educators and formal PL on offer. It also highlights the importance of informal ongoing PL and educators’ agency in orchestrating their learning.

In the context of a rapid expansion of 'internationalized' schools around the world, and the subsequent demands for a teaching workforce, teachers are increasingly on the move. It is, however, no longer sufficient to represent international teacher mobility merely as a movement of predominantly English-speaking teachers who can deliver American, British, Canadian or Australian curricula. The increase in schools that offer bilingual and dual curricula has resulted in the mobility of local teachers who work alongside English-speaking ones. Although these schools are attractive to many international and local teachers, they also present certain professional, cultural and linguistic challenges. Drawing on the theory of practice architectures, this article identifies and discusses the relational tensions between foreign and local teachers as they grapple to build a new professional culture of collaboration – one that demands the transformation of dispositions, professional knowledge, actions and judgements to 'fit in' to the internationalized school.

Rapid improvements in the capabilities of machine translation (MT) raise questions about possible increases in overreliance on MT among lower‐proficiency or novice level language learners. This study investigated how such learners described their use of online MT for independent reading and writing tasks, and whether this included descriptions of second language (L2) avoidance behavior. We also explored learners' reasons for using MT and the perceived effects on their language learning. Findings from in‐depth interviews with eight second‐year tertiary language learners suggest that using MT could exceed desirable use among such learners in relation to the language learning objectives, resulting in language avoidance. Although MT helped them in completing language tasks, its effects were perceived to be detrimental toward their abilities to express themselves in the L2. As such, the use of MT may lead to purely superficial language learning in formal language programs. These findings suggest language educators need to consider instructional scaffolding in language programs for such learners and guidelines to assist their autonomous use of the tool.

The complexity inherent in the TESOL field can present challenges for Language Teacher Associations (LTAs) in undertaking internal‐facing roles such as professional learning including networking, conferences and publications, as well as external‐facing roles such as advocacy work with stakeholders, and curriculum reform, among other issues (e.g., Elsheikh & Effiong, 2018b; Lamb, 2012; Paran, 2016). LTAs must be cognizant of and responsive to changing socio‐political, policy, funding factors influencing TESOL provision, as well as the changing pedagogical needs of educators working across sectors. This study investigates the factors which influence and shape English as an Additional Language (EAL) education across a local (state based) EAL context and considers how these findings can inform the activities and practices of LTAs. Q methodology, which combines the use of qualitative and quantitative data, is employed to provide insights into current, deeply held perspectives of educators in relation to EAL provision. Findings provide insights into contextual variables which impact on EAL provision in adult education and school‐based contexts, including intensive English education for refugee and migrant children. This in turn provides an opportunity to consider implications of these findings for LTA activities and practices, in particular, in relation to professional learning, leadership and advocacy.

In order to distinguish between language-related ideologies, Ruiz ( 1984 Ruiz, R. 1984. “Orientations in Language Planning.” NABE Journal 8 (2): 15–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/08855072.1984.10668464. [Taylor & Francis Online] , [Google Scholar] ) proposed three language orientations, namely ‘language-as-problem’, ‘language-as-right’ and ‘language-as-resource’. Although this typology has been applied to various countries and regions around the globe, relevant research in China, a multi-ethnolinguistic country, remains limited. Through a review of China’s minority language policies and relevant literature, this paper explores the application of Ruiz’s theory to the context of China and proposes two possible directions which can complement this theory. Firstly, the study found that there are different layers, complexities, and even contradictions under a broad/unified language orientation, and that minority languages can be simultaneously positioned as a ‘right’, a ‘resource’ and a ‘problem’. Secondly, by investigating a particular ethnic minority language (the Nuosu Yi language), the study found that the written (literacy) and spoken (oracy) skills of the language can be positioned differently in language-in-education policies and practices. We therefore propose that a critical ‘biliteracy continua’ lens (Hornberger 2004 Hornberger, N. H. 2004. “The Continua of Biliteracy and the Bilingual Educator: Educational Linguistics in Practice.” International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism 7 (3): 155–171. https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050408667806. [Taylor & Francis Online] , [Google Scholar] ) can provide further analytical nuance to the language orientations put forward by Ruiz ( 1984 Ruiz, R. 1984. “Orientations in Language Planning.” NABE Journal 8 (2): 15–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/08855072.1984.10668464. [Taylor & Francis Online] , [Google Scholar] ).

This article focuses on practice architectures of international schools that create affective atmosphere for the professional learning and becoming of international-hire and local-hire teachers. We use the concept of precarious labour to explore relational tensions and their effects on the professional learning of teachers and school leaders. Empirical data are drawn from two case study schools located in two major countries that offer international education. The data sets include interviews with school leaders and international and ‘local’ teachers. The analysis focuses on relational tensions experienced by teachers in these schools. The article argues that the affective atmosphere of teacher workplaces produces a force – a sense of precariousness – that envelopes teachers and oppresses them. At the same time, it also provides the very conditions for their professional learning in international workplaces. From this practice-ontological perspective, therefore, it is important to recognise the primacy of affect in the professional learning of teachers.