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Students who come to QUT from international locations to undertake higher degree research in English as an additional language present the Faculty with a unique opportunity to rethink its pedagogical platform for research supervision. For all students a research higher degree presents challenges and opportunities for growth. For students studying in English as a second, third or perhaps fourth language, and in a culture that is similar to and different from what they have known before, there are also some unique difficulties and pressures. The challenges are not one-way. In welcoming international students QUT has opportunities for institutional revitalisation and renewal.
The everyday life worlds of these students have probably been different from those of many supervisors, and the ‘real world’ of research needs to acknowledge these cultural and educational differences. A good way to start is to resist viewing ‘international students’ as a homogenous group and to acknowledge the particularities of each student out of which the supervisory and pedagogical relationship will fall.
Many of these students, for example, are community and professional leaders in their home countries. They provide the Faculty with opportunities to turn this diversity into scholarly capital to benefit the Faculty. The role of supervisor for international students learning in English as an additional language is challenging but especially gratifying as both parties work together, learning and teaching, across cultural and language differences.
In seeking to open a dialogue on this issue, and Education Faculty Forum was organised in October 2007 at which a number of international students spoke about their experiences in higher education at QUT. The material presented on this website was collated from that event to assist supervisors provide the best higher degree research experience possible for students. It provides tips and strategies for supervision that are organised into the following categories:
- Tips for individualized supervision
- Tips for group supervision
- Support available from QUT
- Tips from students
- Tips from supervisors
- Reference materials
REAL WORLDS MEET
Excellence in Research Supervision for International Students Learning in English as an Additional Language
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