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Dr. Anita Zhao 3 rd Annual Excellence in Teaching and Learning Conference

Changing Places to Learn: Young Chinese’ experiences of the UK as an educational tourist destination. Dr. Anita Zhao 3 rd Annual Excellence in Teaching and Learning Conference. Background . Increasing numbers of international students in UK universities, particularly Chinese

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Dr. Anita Zhao 3 rd Annual Excellence in Teaching and Learning Conference

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  1. Changing Places to Learn:Young Chinese’ experiences of the UK as an educational tourist destination Dr. Anita Zhao 3rd Annual Excellence in Teaching and Learning Conference

  2. Background • Increasing numbers of international students in UK universities, particularly Chinese • Between 2008-2009, about 47035 Chinese students were studying in the UK (HESA, 2010) • Estimation on the rise of Chinese students remains optimistic (Gill, 2010) • However, the competition in the higher education market is very high.

  3. Background (cont) • Life as an international student in the UK is not always easy or straightforward (Humfrey, 1999; McNay, 1995) • Teaching policies and practices in universities are stemmed from the style of the selective British education system (Barnett, 1997; Scott, 1995)

  4. The (Traditional) Approach to Chinese Teaching and Learning • Being formal, disciplined, teacher-centred and didactic (Turner, 2006) • “Like stuffing a duck” (Turner and Acker, 2002: p110) • The role of the teacher • The role of the student • The role of the parents

  5. The Contemporary Scene • Learning tends to (Turner, 2006): • focus on knowledge content • mainly teacher-centred • highly competitive (strives to be the ‘best’ among others) • exam-focused • ‘rote’ learning (repetitive, memory-based approaches as vehicles for achieving deeper learning) • …

  6. Research Aim • To investigate Chinese students’ experience in the UK as a ‘tourism’ and educational place • What do Chinese students expect from their study in the UK as a destination country and a society? • What do they think about the UK prior to their arrival? • How is their experience formed?

  7. Methodology • A qualitative approach using focus groups was adopted • Five mini focus groups were conducted • Convenience sampling • 4-5 students per group for an in-depth discussion of their expectations and experiences of their stay in the UK • Data analysis • limitations

  8. ‘Changing’ Places to Learn – Reasons for Choosing the UK • Save time • Unique experience of being abroad • Opportunities to improve language skills

  9. ‘Changing’ Places to Learn – Reasons for Choosing the UK • A perceived world-class education system • Opportunities to travel other European countries • Relatively low cost of staying in the UK (at the moment!)

  10. Expectations of the UK “… Living here is relaxing and simply” “… a beautiful country with rich history” “… Living in China is much busier. I feel more pressure as well.” “… Living here is simple. Except studying, I have nothing else to do.” “… People are friendly and nice.”

  11. Integrating with the British Society • “[I] want to integrate with the society but found it very hard. In fact, I don’t know how to integrate.” • “[It is] hard to make friends. [I] feel lonely … People here are very individual, unlike people in China.”

  12. (Unexpected) Findings • A very narrow impression and experience of British society as a whole • Poor preparation for the stay in the UK • Limited problem-solving skills

  13. Discussions and Conclusion • The gap between students’ expectation and experience • The importance of the motivations studying in the UK • Opportunities and barriers to over come • Cohort group (?) • Gender differences (?)

  14. Key References • Bischoff, E.E. & Koenig-Lewis, N. (2008). VFR tourism: the importance of university students as hosts. International Journal of Tourism Research, Vol. 9, 465-484. • Bodycott, P. (2009). Choosing a higher education study abroad destination: What mainland Chinese parents and students rate as important. Journal of Research in International Education, 8, 349-373. • Gill, J. (2010). Chinese demographics pose risk to UK market share. Times Higher Education, June 26. Retrieved September 24, 2010 from http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=402508&sectioncode=26 • HESA (2010). Press release 144 - Students in Higher Education Institutions 2008/09. Retrieved October 7, 2010 from http://www.hesa.ac.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1668&Itemid=161 • Turner, Y. (2006). Chinese Students in a UK business school: Hearing the student voice in reflective teaching and learning practice. Higher Education Quarterly, 60(1), 27-51. • A full list of references may be available upon request. Please email Dr Anita Zhao: a.l.zhao@swansea.ac.uk

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