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Although English-medium instruction (EMI) has been implemented and developed rapidly in higher education, little is known about its learning process and effects. This study employed a systematic approach to explore how diverse factors affect student performance in English and disciplinary learning. We conducted a survey to collect students' self-report of their learning in the EMI programmes and used partial least square structural equation modelling in evaluation. The findings demonstrate three personal factors (prior knowledge, effort, and interest) and three environmental factors (course, teacher, and resource) have effects on student performance. We find that effort has the strongest direct impact on learning outcomes, prior knowledge the second, while course factor the least. Interest has an indirect effect on outcomes through the mediating effect of effort, and teacher and resource factors have indirect effects on outcomes mediated by course. In addition, prior knowledge has a larger impact on English performance than on subject achievement. The present study theoretically and methodologically contributes to the research field of EMI by systematically examining the learning process of EMI and constructing a structural model of complex relationships of multiple factors affecting student performance in EMI programmes. This study also provides implications for EMI practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sluggish transfer kinetics caused by solid–solid contact at the lithium (Li)/solid-state electrolyte (SE) interface is an inherent drawback of all-solid-state Li metal batteries (ASSLMBs) that not only limits the cell power density but also induces uneven Li deposition as well as high levels of interfacial stress that deteriorates the internal structure and cycling stability of ASSLMBs. Herein, a fast Li+ transfer scaffold is proposed to overcome the sluggish kinetics at the Li/SE interface in ASSLMBs using an α-MnO2-decorated carbon paper (CP) structure (α-MnO2@CP). At an atomic scale, the tunnel structure of α-MnO2 exhibits a great ability to facilitate Li+ adsorption and transportation across the inter-structure of α-MnO2@CP, leading to a high critical current density of 3.95 mA cm−2 at the Li/SE interface. Meanwhile, uniform Li deposition can be guided along the skeletons of α-MnO2@CP with minimized volume expansion, significantly improving the structural stability of the Li/SE interface. Based on these advantages, the ASSLMBs using α-MnO2@CP protected the Li anode and can stably cycle up to very high charge/discharge rates of 10C/10C, paving the way for developing high-power ASSLMBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]