Cross Cultural !Study Skills

Cultural Exchange Seminar!

Office of International Studies in Education!

College of Education!Michigan State University!

!October 3, 2014

By: Iwan Syahril

Agenda• Group work (15 mins)

• Sharing (15 Mins)

• Slide presentation (15 Mins)

• Q & A (5 mins)

Group Work

Group Work• Brainstorm issues/problems when

studying in the US classroom —> reading, writing, speaking, and listening

• Write the issues/problems on the poster paper.

• Post it on the wall

• Gallery walk

• Sharing

“Different is NOT deficient.”

• Values, Expectations, Perceptions!

• Problems and Tips How to Deal with Them!

• Other Tips

Values, Expectations, Perceptions

• Egalitarianism vs HierarchyProfessors are facilitators vs Professors are experts

• Less formal vs FormalCall professors by first name is often OK vs Call professors with a specific title

• Active Participation vs Passive ParticipationQuestions, comments vs Silence is golden

• Individualism vs Collectivism Being different is encouraged vs Keeping harmonyClassmates are classmates vs Classmates are friends

Language problems:Grammar

translation method

check

translate

response!in L1

translate

response in L2

respond

Problems: Speaking• Lack of confidence

• Lots of discussion can be intimidating

• Why discussion? Why learning from peers? Why is the teacher not teaching?

• Irrelevant comments as a show of interest, a teaching moment Lack of participation as a show of disinterest and a show of unpreparedness

What to do & How: Speaking• Rule of thumb: Silence is NOT golden! • Tip: Be confident

How: Focus on your ideas, not your grammar. • Tip: Prepare your ideas and questions

How: Write small notes (post-its) when reading • Tip; Learn discussion conventions (e.g., expressing opinions, turn-

taking)How: (See handout, p. 1-3)

• Tip: Give it a try, and keep going! How: Talk even when it sounds stupid, or maybe irrelevant. Be apologetic, “I am sorry if this sounds stupid (this may be irrelevant), but I think…”

Problems: Listening

• Difficulties in following professors’ lectures format

• Comprehension problems

What to do & How: Listening

• Tip: Improve your listening skills. Understand less formal phrases, & subtle cultural contexts.How: Watch TV

• Tip: Have backupsHow: Record lectures if possible (ask permission); Borrow classmates’ notes; Meet professors during their office hours

Problems: Reading!

• So little time, so much to do!

• Too many readings

• Slow reading habit

What to do & How: Reading!

• Tip: SKIM!How: (See handout, p. 4)

• Tip: Read with a critical eye, not to retain and synthesize information How: ~ Read, stop, develop your own arguments. Ask “What do I think?” ~ Reading with questions in mind: 5W + H ~ Interact with the readings, make it explicit: Side notes, highlighting, post it notes

Problems: Writing

• A lot of writing (essays, research papers)

• Indirectness

• Academic integrity (plagiarism)

What to do & How: Writing

• Tip: Be direct How: State main argument or interpretation directly at the beginning, then support with evidence. The focus is to make one’s point clear to the reader.

• Tip: Cite How: ~ Paraphrasing skills (see handout, p. 5); ~ Citation styles (e.g., APA, MLA, etc.)

• Tip: Seek support system How: ~ Ask professors to check one’s work before submitted.~ Ask peers to proofread writing ~ Writing Center (College of Education, MSU Writing Center)

Other Tips

• Ask for second chances!

• Build relationships with faculty, advisers, other students.

• Have a life. Do your hobbies. Explore new hobbies. Make new friends.

Questions?

18

Thank you

19