Teaching to Diversities: International/Language
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We recognise that many international students have very high levels of English language skills. Conversely, some of our local students require support in further developing their skills in academic English. For many in both groups, culturally sensitive teaching and a supportive academic environment are particularly welcomed. For all these reasons the resources below refer both to international student issues, and to issues of language and culture. Please also see our sections on religion, and Indigeneity.
Experiences of
International students
Support with English language skills
Support and services
Other resources
References
Experiences of International students
According to the University’s 2005 figures, 19% of students at the University of Sydney were international students. Understanding the needs of international students, and the learning difficulties they may encounter is the first step in creating an inclusive learning environment.
Talking Students (Synergy, Issue 26, Nov. 2007) International Students speak about their experiences at the University of Sydney.
Support with English language skills
Teaching staff can direct students to:
The Write Site
A
step by step guide to improving written expression. (Requires students
to login)
The Learning
Centre
Offers professional tutoring and courses in a variety
of subjects
The
Language Centre
Offers free access to language learning material to
all students and staff of the University. See especially resources on Australian
English and English
for Economics Students.
Support and services
International
Student Support Unit (ISSU)
Provides support to International
students through the provision of information, activities, advice
and counselling.
Other resources
Partly through the enrolment of international students, the University is strengthening its commitment to internationalisation and global citizenship. Listed below are official University documents about internationalisation.
For more information about the University’s current policies on internationalisation contact the Director, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) Sandra MeirasReferences
Asmar, C. (2005). Internationalising Students: Reassessing diasporic and local student difference. Studies in Higher Education, 30, 3, 291-309.
Burbules, N. & Torres, C. (Eds.) (2000). Globalization and Education: Critical Perspectives. New York, Routledge.
Butcher, M (2006). Australia's Transnational Professionals: The Impact of Culture in the New Global Work Place. The Research Institute for Asia and the Pacific (RIAP), The University of Sydney. http://www.usyd.edu.au/riap/documents/publications/papers/TCCExecsum.pdf
Chalmers, D. and Volet, S. (1997). Common Misconceptions about Students from South-East Asia Studying in Australia. Higher Education Research and Development, 16, 1, 87- 98.
Chapman, A. (2004). Enhancing the academic cultural awareness of international students on an economics programme. Unpublished paper presented at the 12th Improving Student Learning Symposium, Inclusivity and difference. Birmingham, UK, 6-8 September.
Gallagher, M. (2002). Internationalising Education. Address to the Sixth Annual National Teaching Forum of the Australian Universities Teaching Committee, Canberra, 2 December.
Green, W. (2007). Write on or write off? An exploration of Asian international students’ approaches to essay writing at an Australian University. Higher Education Research & Development, 26, 3, 329-344.
Jones, S. and Sobiecki, P. (2002). Student-centred learning and first-year international students. Paper presented at 6th Pacific Rim First Year in Higher Education Conference, Christchurch, NZ, July 10 – 12.
Kember, D. (2000). Misconceptions about the learning approaches, motivation and study practices of Asian students. Higher Education, 40, pp. 99-121.
Leder, G. & Forgasz, H. (2004). Australian and international mature students: the daily challenges. Higher Education Research and Development, 23, 2 (May), 183-198.
Luke, A. (2003). The New Asian Education and its
Implications for Australian Universities: The View from Outside. Presentation
at Vice-Chancellor's Teaching and Learning Showcase of Scholarly Reflection
and Inquiry. The University of Sydney (November). http://www.itl.usyd.edu.au/showcase2003/luke_pres.pdf
Rizvi, F. (2000). International Education and the Production of Global
Imagination, in N. Burbules & C. Torres (Eds.) Globalization and Education:
Critical Perspectives. New York, Routledge.
Rizvi, F. and Walsh, L. (1998).
Difference, globalisation and the
internationalisation of curriculum. Australian Universities Review,
41,
2, 7-11.
Shinn, C. (2002). Internationalisation of higher education: A comparative perspective of curriculum and policy in Australia and the United States. Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Sydney, NSW.
Smailes,
J. (2004). Diverse student needs: the challenge of teaching international
students. Paper presented at the 12th Improving Student Learning
Symposium: Inclusivity and difference. Birmingham, 6-8 September.
Students
from Asia: Issues in Learning and Teaching. (2004). Faculty
of Education, University of Melbourne in association with Asialink.
Tani, Massimiliano ( 20 December 2006) On the motivations, expectations, and experiences of students in tertiary education: findings from a large survey carried out at The University of New South Wales. Learning and Teaching Unit, The University of New South Wales.
Tani, Massimiliano (October, 2006). On the motivations, expectations, and experiences of students in tertiary education: findings from a survey carried out at the National University of Singapore. Centre for the Development of Teaching and Learning, The National University of Singapore.