Learning in the Global Classroom

'In the age of the 'global village' this book will enable its future citizens to understand how they can improve their learning experience as they travel to and learn in different countries, contexts and environments. The authors have produced a rigorous yet easy to read book that is full of information, advice and practical tips for the International student. Reading and using this book will improve the quality of the experience for both the student and their teacher.'- Roger Palmer, Henley Business School, UK'This book provides an excellent insight into the means of gaining the most out of an international education. It is simple in language, invaluable in cross-cultural behaviour guidance, meaningful in challenging stereotypes, and useful in self-reflection. Quotes from students bring cultural differences to life.- Ayse Saka-Helmhout, University of Surrey, UK'Learning in the Global Classroom is an excellent reference for both university students and for academics who take their responsibilities seriously. This book makes study in another county more do-able, and is very timely given the increasing push for internationalization in universities. What could be an overwhelming challenge for the potential international student is tackled in a logical, reassuring way, with practical strategies that cover personal, social and academic issues. For most students, this text will be an 'ongoing' reference, to be referred to as situations arise. Issues that academics often complain about with regard to non-Western students are addressed, such as learning how to speak up in class discussions, critical thinking and punctuality. The text also offers sage advice that would be valuable to students who are returning to study after a prolonged absence. I will certainly recommend this book to both colleagues and students.'- Paddy O'Toole, Monash University, AustraliaThis unique and fascinating book is written for tertiary level students in the multi-cultural classroom, whether studying abroad or at home alongside international students. It relates a genuine understanding of the student perspective of learning in a multi-cultural classroom, highlighting how students possess different learning styles and attitudes to teaching and learning and demonstrating that students not only face language issues, but also numerous other unanticipated challenges. The contributors present both theoretical and practical examples of various teaching and learning strategies that international students will encounter, and reveal how to maximize the benefit of these different approaches. They provide invaluable guidance on how to overcome many of the often-unexpected factors that arise when students are faced by a different cultural environment or people who have different cultural expectations and behavior patterns. Students arrive in the tertiary classroom with a set of behaviors, characteristics and expectations derived from the educational practices of their home-country communities. With these in mind, the book asserts the importance of the student considering what they hope to learn, why they chose the particular institution enrolled with, and whether they will use their newly acquired skills in their own country, the country in which they are studying or somewhere else entirely. It illustrates that understanding exactly what a student wishes to achieve can greatly help get the best out of the international experience both inside and outside of the classroom. This highly original and insightful book will prove invaluable to all tertiary level students who move abroad to study, or who are studying in an international classroom at home.