Narrowing communication gaps in teaching international students

Mohd Faiz, Nur Sofurah and Awang, Halizah and Mohamed, Maziana (2017) Narrowing communication gaps in teaching international students. Pertanika Journal: Social Sciences & Humanities, 25 (NIL). pp. 215-222. ISSN 0128-7702

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Abstract

Research into the adjustment experiences of international students in higher education institutions has been undertaken over the past 50 years. In the related literature, much of the discussion has focussed on academic challenges that international students have encountered during their transition. Debate has also centred on the methods of support that academic staff could provide to assist the transition of international students. This paper highlights the findings of a case study on pedagogical approaches of academic staff in a Malaysian Technical University in narrowing communication gaps when teaching international students. Nine academic staff were interviewed to explore their experiences on communication challenges in the classroom and methods they implemented in encountering those issues. Findings illustrated that low English proficiency was the most significant challenge these staff encountered in teaching international students, and two specific pedagogical approaches were implemented in assisting this issue, namely, (i) using simple English with teaching aids, and (ii) teaching in two languages were. These methods were perceived to have assisted not just the learning of international students, but also to have narrowed communication gaps between the students and academic staff

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Academic staff; Adjustment; International students; Pedagogical approaches
Subjects:	L Education > L Education (General)
Divisions:	Center for Diploma Studies > Dept. of Science and Mathematics
Depositing User:	Miss Nur Rasyidah Rosli
Date Deposited:	20 Dec 2021 03:23
Last Modified:	20 Dec 2021 03:23
URI:	http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/id/eprint/4809

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