No effect of teaching language on learning Organic Chemistry

Abstract

The Organic Chemistry Department of the University of Alicante offers students the possibility of studying all compulsory organic subjects in English or Spanish. In this study, three different subjects offered in English and Spanish are selected. The reasons of the students when choosing to be taught in English or Spanish are analyzed by means of a survey. The results of learning acquired by the students of both groups are evaluated by comparison of the marks achieved by the students both in the continuous assessment and in the final exam. The mains reason to study chemistry subjects in English is the acquisition of the specific terminology and the improvement of the language skills, the results achieved by the students in both groups are not influenced by the teaching language. Offering the possibility to learn chemistry subjects in English has increased the number of exchange students taking those subjects and therefore the internationalization of the University of Alicante.