Abstract: Whilst attention as seen paid over the past decade to internationalisation at the organisational level, and, lately, to the international student experience, this presentation focuses on internationalisation at the level of the individual lecturer, that is, the internationalisation of the ‘academic self ’. delegates will be introduced to the main characteristics of the Profile of the Ideal Lecturer for the international classroom, an educational model that originates from Western Europe and outlines the sorts of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are put forward as being beneficial for lecturers working in higher education environments characterised by increasing cultural, language, and educational diversity.
Key words: International students, lecturer, internationalisation, academic education
Cathy Dickson, Assoc. Prof. Linette Lock, Dr. Michael Carey
Abstract: International students enrolling in undergraduate nursing courses in Australian universities are an increasing presence. The literature in regard to enhancing international student success has concentrated on theoretical, or class room learning. For nursing, and other practice based disciplines, success is also required in the practical learning experience. Clinical practice experience is recognised within the profession world wide as an essential element of nurse education for the development of competent and skilled registered nurses.
For those international culturally and linguistically different students entering Australian programmes, this requirement is often difficult and challenging. This paper will discuss Australian nurse education which is grounded in western values and beliefs regarding health and illness and the role of the nurse, and highlight the student anecdotes that have lead to the development of a doctoral research proposal asking the question: What is the nature of learning to nurse in Australia for international culturally and linguistically different students?
Keywords : Nursing, cultural preconceptions, values and beliefs, clinical learning.
Abstract : Writing about music is fundamental to the study of music in a university. This may not be surprising to most people familiar with study in tertiary institutions in Australia. However, many aspiring young musicians coming from overseas to study music in Australia are not prepared for this aspect of their music education. Their lack of preparedness is, first, in understanding what the academic requirements are in tertiary music courses, and second, in meeting those requirements. Regardless of whether a student is studying in a Performance, Composition, Technology, Pedagogy or Musicology strand of the degree, they will be required to write academic papers on or related to music. This paper investigates the nature of language in music study, the nature of pre-tertiary English courses and how courses might better prepare international students for a tertiarymusic program.
Keywords: tertiary music study, language needs, International English Language Testing System (IELTS), English for Academic Purposes (EAP), sustained content-based instruction.
Abstract: The traditional view of the learning style of the Asian student learner as being suited to rote learning, concrete thinking and teacher dependence can restrict the innovative learning experiences that are provided to the Asian learner. For subjects such as business where there is no one right way but rather a variety of approaches that are often contextually determined, the traditional learning style can be ineffective in fostering knowledge. This paper challenges the validity of the notion that Asian students are unsuited to a flexible, innovative, creative and open systems learning environment. After three years of providing Asian students with a virtual business environment, the evidence suggests that after initial adjustments, the Asian learner benefits exponentially from a more fluid learning environment. International students evidence higher levels of creativity, conceptualisation and understanding than students taught in a teacher-directed environment. Their level of communication and confidence is enhanced. Instead of simply learning something superficially, students know through experience.
Key Words: Virtual learning environments, cultural styles of learning, experiential learning, business training.
Abstract: The case study reported in this paper has examined the of adaptation of international postgraduate students from China and Vietnam in two disciplines, Education and Economics, at an Australian university. It focuses on how individual students mediated their disciplinary writing practices and their personal values. Based on the discussion of the students’ experiences, it will be argued that the accommodating process they go through seems complex and multifaceted. The study highlights the different forms of adaptation the students made in order to gain access to their disciplinary communities of practices. It indicates the need to unpack the ‘hidden aspects’ underpinning the commonly-presumed notion of adaptation of international students. The paper concludes with some implications for the university communities to help empower international students in their participation in academic discourses and make the curriculum more accessible to the increasing number of international students.
Key words: adaptation, discourse practices, cultural stereotypes, accommodating diversity
