The challenge of academic writing for Chinese students within ...

study in university was like, and just wanted to make my own decision that was different from
my parents.
Figure 5.12: Celine‘s perception of her own learning experience from the ages of 6 to 22
Figure 5.13: Celine‘s perception of her own learning experience in the UK between September 2007 and May
2009
Nevertheless, as soon as I entered the university, I realized English is not something I was
good at. Compared to the students from big cities, my spoken English was really bad. The
English education in a small city like my hometown is mainly for the Entrance Exam. As it
was not included in the exam, speaking was seldom taught or encouraged at all in high
school. Therefore, after I began my English study in the university, I struggled to catch up
with others in oral English. However, during the first two years at the university in China, I
did not lose my enthusiasm for history. I chose most of my courses, except the compulsory
courses in English, in Chinese history. The study of these courses about Chinese history and
culture gave me a greater and specific understanding of Chinese history compared to that in
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