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| About the book |
"This book provides international students, planning to study at a university in an English speaking country, with knowledge about what they will have to do at university, why they will have to do this and how. The author helpfully bases each chapter on a theme and highlights related theories, learning points and tasks ... Individual assignments are covered but an important part of the book is group tasks such as discussions; consequently making it ideal for use in a group context. The practical advice and guidelines throughout will provide international students with a great head start for university education." Christine Boomsma, Student, University of Plymouth, UK "This excellent and easily accessible guide recognises the needs and concerns international students face when starting a university course. It is well laid out in three distinct parts: the university context, the study process and producing assignments with each chapter containing tasks to develop learning in each of these areas. International students will find this a useful book in understanding the expectations of study at an English speaking university at whatever level they choose to study and as a reference guide to refer to throughout their university education." Balvinder Bassi, Student, University of Birmingham, UK
While it is important to understand how to undertake academic tasks like referencing, essay-writing and presenting information, it is also useful to be aware as to why the university requires you to do them. Each section includes the approaches, methods and applied exercises that will help you to understand and develop your skills. Reflective exercises as well as group tasks are also included to help you develop the study skills that are necessary for successful completion of a course. You are also encouraged to keep a copy of each completed task (in a portfolio) in order to demonstrate the skills you have learned to prospective employers. Getting Ahead as an International Student is designed for international students studying at any level - foundation level, undergraduate or postgraduate - and using any mode of study including distance-learning. Visit the accompanying website for further readings and resources linked with this book: www.openup.co.uk/internationalstudents |
| About the author |
Dave Burnapp is Senior Lecturer at Northampton Business School, UK. He teaches on a range of courses including English for academic purposes, study skills and research methods. He is also a National Teaching Fellow. |
| Table of contents |
Introduction Aims of this book Who should use this book The structure of this book The methods used in this book The Learning Portfolio Employability Critical Incidents Intended Learning Outcomes Introduction to Part One: The university context Chapter 1. What are English-speaking universities like? Theme: Maslow's hierarchy of needs Research into international students' adaptation Support Services Accommodation Careers Services Guidance Chapter 2. What sort of changes will I need to make? Theme: Culture Learning Styles Previous experiences The requirements of the situation Personal preferences What a UK university degree involves Chapter 3. What sort of things will I have to do? Theme: Adaptation A day in the life Students' Unions Volunteering Self Management Doing Sport and healthy living Culture shock Looking forward: ethnography Chapter 4. What sort of assessments will I have? Theme: Assessment The Principles of Assessment Different approaches to assessments Types of assessment Introduction to Part Two: The Study Process Chapter 5. Starting Out: what do I already know? Theme: Development Approaches: 1 Transmission versus Constructivist learning Approaches: 2 Reflective Learning Methods: 1 Discussions Methods: 2 Portfolios Skills: 1 Discussion skills Skills: 2 Objective and subjective writing Chapter 6. How can I understand my topic? Theme: Corporate Social Responsibility Approaches: 1 Extensive reading Approaches: 2 Learning involves ongoing Autonomous Discovery Methods: 1 Finding texts for extensive reading Methods: 2 Time Management and Planning Skills: 1 Skimming & Surveying Skills: 2 Scanning Skills: 3 Note taking Chapter 7. How do these ideas connect? Theme: Eco-tourism Approaches: 1 Bloom's Taxonomy Approaches: 2 Making connections Methods: 1 Writing summaries and paraphrases Methods: 2 Lecture Note-taking Skills: 1 Glossaries Skills: 2 Connecting ideas from reading and lectures Skills: 3 Discourse Markers Chapter 8. Group working: what do other people think? Theme: Human Resource Management ' staff training Approaches: 1 Working in teams Approaches: 2 The need for primary research Methods: 1 Group work Methods: 2 What is meant by quantitative research? Methods: 3 What is meant by qualitative research? Skills: 1 Questionnaire Design Skills: 2 Interview schedules Introduction to Part Three: Producing assignments Chapter 9. What do I have to do to excel in my assessments? Theme: Brand Management Approaches: 1 Bloom's Taxonomy (Application and Analysis) Approaches:2 Process approach to planning assignments Methods: 1 Analysing Assignment titles Methods: 2 Creating Research Questions Methods: 3 What is the literature? Methods: 4 Changing research questions into a research plan Skills: 1 Evaluation of internet websites and media sources Skills: 2 Deep reading Chapter 10. What is critical awareness and how can I show it in my work? Theme: Reviewing the themes of Motivation, CSR, & Brand Management Approaches: 1 Bloom's Taxonomy (Synthesis & Evaluation) Approaches: 2 Critical awareness Methods: 1 Developing critical awareness when you are reading and note-taking. Methods: 2 Devising a plan and a structure for your writing Methods: 3 Demonstrating critical awareness in your writing Skills: 1 Synthesising information and building paragraphs Skills: 2 How to deal with qualitative data Skills: 3 How to deal with quantitative data Chapter 11. Finishing off: have I done what was required? Theme: Strategic Management Approaches: 1 Discourse communities and academic texts Methods: 1 Avoiding plagiarism Skills: 1 Referencing Skills: 2 Checking |
