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

significant, you couldn‘t keep using the word ‗important‘. It‘s also no way to use the
Chinese English (Chinglish) in the writing.
Another challenge for me is to use the reference in the writing. In China, we used to
have a tendency to write about our own opinions but without saying how we
developed these ideas. In the UK, there are stricter requirement of referencing. It
requires a much wider reading and build up your arguments upon the previous
research. I think it‘s good thing because readers can trace the development of the
literature in a particular field, and how you have developed your ideas.
FS:
How do you cope with/manage/respond to the challenges of academic writing in
English
Peter: Apart from taking advantage help from the Writing Centre, I start to read more not
only academic publications but also publication from the mass media. Listening to the
radio and watching TV programmes is another good way of improving my
vocabulary. I always pick up some lively and interesting words from my reading and
listening..
FS:
Have you found teaching and learning styles in the UK challenging For instance,
how are they different from Chinese learning styles in your previous education
Peter: The first difference is ‗independent learning‘. In high school, teachers were apt to tell
you everything you need to learn; in my university years in China, I thought there was
more independent learning. University tutors didn‘t ask us to do any more of exercises
but they still provided us with the reading list for the modules. Sometimes, they even
told us in advance which particular areas will be tested in the exam. Since I got here, I
realised there is more independent learning. Tutors seem like they even don‘t care if
you know the key reading list for the modules; and if you can get hold of books.
The second difference is class atmosphere. Here in the UK, class atmosphere is more
relaxed. Students have more freedom to speak out whenever and whatever they want.
In Chinese universities, students likely prepare for the class discussion beforehand.
Here, students seem like they can speak out even they don‘t have a very good idea.
The third difference, in my experience, is the less interaction / engagement in
students‘ group discussion. Students appear to spend more time to talk about
something else rather than the discussion topics. I remember I was once relocated to
another group for one of Business module, an English student was very happy to have
the discussion with me on the business subject because normally he spent less time to
discuss the subject matter and more time on something else with his English peers.
The fourth difference is the student-staff relationship. From my sixth sense, I believe I
have a closer relationship with Chinese tutors in my previous university. Here I‘ve
only got to know well one of teaching staff.
The fifth difference is the difficulty level of passing assignment. Here in the UK, it‘s
more difficult for me to pass or gain a good mark from my assignment especially if
you want to have a better class of degree to apply for a good university for a
postgraduate course afterwards. It is mainly caused by the fact that English is my
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