Interim report: Chinese students’ experience Teaching and Learning Project 2011 Dr. Jiamei Xiao...
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Transcript of Interim report: Chinese students’ experience Teaching and Learning Project 2011 Dr. Jiamei Xiao...
Interim report:
Chinese students’ experience
Teaching and Learning Project 2011Dr. Jiamei Xiao University of Huddersfield July, 2011
Research Team
Lead researcher- Dr. Jiamei Xiao
Partner researcher- Prof. Mark Halstead
Student researcher- Lan Lin, MA student
-----School of Education and Professional Development
Aims and ObjectsCommon issues and difficulties
most Chinese students are facing Different learning needs and
issues between Undergraduate and Masters level students
Characteristics of Chinese students’ learning & any observable sub-groups (in terms of approaches, attitudes to learning and levels of achievement
Data Collection:
10 interviews in April - June, 2011
6 Groups and 4 individualsin Chineseover 12 hours’ recordingstressing the nature of ‘listening to
the voices’ of Chinese students culture-sensitive equal relationship
with interviewees
Sampling
Levels of study Number of Chinese students, Dec, 2010
Number of interviewees, April-Jun, 2011
PhD candidate 30 4
Masters 77 10
Undergraduate 225 8
Foundation 27 4
Language 33 0
Other 5 0
Sub Total 397 26
Data analysis- 21 participants in 9 interviews
Participants: ◦4 Foundation/8 Undergraduate/9 Masters
Masters & Undergraduate experiences:◦4 M level (less than 1 year on our course - a
case study◦1 Msc + 1 MA (less than 1 year◦3 (over 3 years -- Undergraduate & M level ◦8 Undergraduate◦4 Foundation
Data analysis- 21 participants in 9 interviewsVaried periods of time:
◦3- 6 months (n=4) ◦6-12 months (n=6) ◦1-2 years (n=4); ◦2-3 years (n=3); ◦3-6 years (n=4).
Initial Analysis- Common issues and difficulties
Few and less satisfactory levels of interaction, communication and cooperation with ‘English people’
Masters – case study
Despair and helplessnessIntensified reflection of the four aspects of Chinese students’ experience
Undergraduate studentsdiverse groupdominant ethos -- indifferent to
each other except among the close circle of friends, apathetic
a sense of isolation and lethargya desire for more organised
student activities and external assistance in promoting communication and interactions
Chinese students’ learning psychologyinitial inhibition -not ‘good
enough’ or ‘better than others’a complex social, cultural and
educational phenomenon which goes beyond the issue of ‘saving face’
Chinese students’ learning continuity of their earlier
experience in Chinasurvival strategy reticence or implicit acceptance
or helplessness
Chinese students’ learning Get used to
◦active engagement (if this is the case from the beginning)
◦merely surviving and keeping themselves aloof and away from the crowd
◦taking a clear stance of enjoying the ‘temporary stage of life’ and need ‘no more than a pass’
Chinese students’ learning Value added---‘learning to live
independently and obtaining maturity’
Other expectations?◦people, culture and experience◦academic outcomes ◦English proficiency
Chinese students’ learning self study and self-managementan individualistic approach to
learning unpredictable outcomes
(Need for further study into Chinese students’ academic results)
Conclusiona low level of activity in the
university lifelittle involvement in external
events inadequate engagement in
classroom interactions with teachers and home students
Next Steps‘self-hypnotising’ ‘getting rid of drug addiction’--- They are struggling--- calls for early-stage
interventions and tailored supporting system
Other opportunities for insightsI initiated two group interviews
with Chinese students and scholars in 2009
Another project on a collaborative course in China was carried out in March, 2011
International students’ expectations qualificationbetter Englishnew experience & new
understanding (of culture, people, life & in learning)
Suggestions- a welcoming universityAdmission arrangement & induction
programme paying particular attention to practical needs – Chinese students induction programme?
Student Union allocating regular international and multi-cultural programme/venue – an international kitchen?
Arrangements, events & initiatives for international students – ‘personal touch’, at school & uni level, at the beginning of a term
Suggestions- a supporting universityVoluntary supporting system-
mentor/ English club/ language centre/international kitchen – need initial arrangement, organisation and support
A Chinese officer as a key contact and first-stop support
Information of regulation, rules and procedures – available & disseminated through Chinese officer