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’

Initial Analysis- Common issues and difficulties

‘quietness’

Initial Analysis- Common issues and difficulties

Little external supportawareness of and access to

Initial Analysis- Common issues and difficulties

Constant challenges

Course work

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 language issue

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

Suggestions- internationalisation

Uni provision

Individuals’

awareness and actions

Town & communi

ty life

A synergy model – an aggregate of discrete consciousness and actions

Who would take the lead?