Challenges to brand Australia: international students and the problem with speaking

Yates, Lynda and Wahid, Ridwan (2013) Challenges to brand Australia: international students and the problem with speaking. Higher Education Research and Development, 32 (6). pp. 1037-1050. ISSN 0729-4360

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Abstract

Although communication skills in English are important for both their career prospects and the success of their overall study experience, many international students find their spoken English a barrier to employment after graduation. In this paper, we draw on longitudinal interview data from international postgraduates to investigate the individual and social factors that impacted on the development of their speaking skills as they studied in Australia. Our findings suggest that, despite high levels of motivation to improve, they received little instruction in such skills on their English for Academic Purposes programs and had little access to them in the community. We argue that for compelling moral as well as economic reasons universities urgently need to address these issues through both instruction and social integration initiatives if they are to safeguard their lucrative but vulnerable overseas markets.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	4582/34676
Uncontrolled Keywords:	English language support; international education; international students; spoken communication skills
Subjects:	L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education L Education > LC Special aspects of education > LC65 Social aspects of education P Language and Literature > PE English
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of English Language & Literature
Depositing User:	Dr Ridwan Wahid
Date Deposited:	20 Jan 2014 14:57
Last Modified:	20 Jan 2014 14:57
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/34676

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