Perceptions of Chinese students in an Australian university: Are we meeting their needs?

This short-term longitudinal study sought to identify the issues faced by a group of international Chinese students undertaking study in an Australian university. While the focus was on educational issues, socio-cultural and personal factors were also examined in an attempt to identify the sorts of...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Briguglio, Carmela, Smith, R.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Routledge 2012
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/35923
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author Briguglio, Carmela
Smith, R.
author_facet Briguglio, Carmela
Smith, R.
author_sort Briguglio, Carmela
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description This short-term longitudinal study sought to identify the issues faced by a group of international Chinese students undertaking study in an Australian university. While the focus was on educational issues, socio-cultural and personal factors were also examined in an attempt to identify the sorts of strategies students used in settling into anew socio-cultural and educational context. Interviews conducted at the beginning and end of the first semester of study indicate a range of issues that are supported by previous studies. What has not previously been highlighted, however, is the emphasis on speaking and listening skills which students reported they needed to improve. Lack of proficiency in these areas was seen by students as hampering their active participation in class, leading to lack of confidence in approaching Australian students, and resulting in their inability to benefit from the “Australian experience”. Many existing academic support structures in Australian universities tend to emphasize support with written and study skills. While this is important because of the direct impact on assessment, it is perhaps now opportune to place some emphasis on developing strategies and programmes that will support the development of students’ speaking and listening skills, with a focus on intercultural communication.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-359232017-09-13T15:53:33Z Perceptions of Chinese students in an Australian university: Are we meeting their needs? Briguglio, Carmela Smith, R. internationalization needs of international students international education international student support Chinese learners This short-term longitudinal study sought to identify the issues faced by a group of international Chinese students undertaking study in an Australian university. While the focus was on educational issues, socio-cultural and personal factors were also examined in an attempt to identify the sorts of strategies students used in settling into anew socio-cultural and educational context. Interviews conducted at the beginning and end of the first semester of study indicate a range of issues that are supported by previous studies. What has not previously been highlighted, however, is the emphasis on speaking and listening skills which students reported they needed to improve. Lack of proficiency in these areas was seen by students as hampering their active participation in class, leading to lack of confidence in approaching Australian students, and resulting in their inability to benefit from the “Australian experience”. Many existing academic support structures in Australian universities tend to emphasize support with written and study skills. While this is important because of the direct impact on assessment, it is perhaps now opportune to place some emphasis on developing strategies and programmes that will support the development of students’ speaking and listening skills, with a focus on intercultural communication. 2012 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/35923 10.1080/02188791.2012.655237 Routledge fulltext
spellingShingle internationalization
needs of international students
international education
international student support
Chinese learners
Briguglio, Carmela
Smith, R.
Perceptions of Chinese students in an Australian university: Are we meeting their needs?
title Perceptions of Chinese students in an Australian university: Are we meeting their needs?
title_full Perceptions of Chinese students in an Australian university: Are we meeting their needs?
title_fullStr Perceptions of Chinese students in an Australian university: Are we meeting their needs?
title_full_unstemmed Perceptions of Chinese students in an Australian university: Are we meeting their needs?
title_short Perceptions of Chinese students in an Australian university: Are we meeting their needs?
title_sort perceptions of chinese students in an australian university: are we meeting their needs?
topic internationalization
needs of international students
international education
international student support
Chinese learners
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/35923