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about 13~14 weeks (12 teaching weeks, with one or two weeks’ break in between),plus one week for exam preparation and a two-week exam period. Given the shortduration, it is important that students work hard from day one. However, someinternational students may not understand this, thinking that it’s not crucial to attendsome classes, particularly those at the beginning of the semester. This may result instudents missing important information about certain assessment requirements ofthe subject, consequently leading to poor results.8.2 In classroom study skillsThis section presents some lecture-related classroom skills and advice, and tips forpreparing an oral presentation.(1) Lecture-room related study skillsBe present for lecturesLectures are one of the main methods of delivering subject content at universities.Although a lecture may aim to achieve different outcomes, it generally provides asummary of essential knowledge in a subject area, demonstrates how to dosomething (e.g., solve a problem), stimulates your interest of subject topics, andguides your reading and research. Make sure you attend lectures regularly and listencarefully in all lectures – this will help you grasp the key concepts of the subject area,understand key theories and practise key techniques/skills required for assignmentsand the final examination.The first lectureThe first lecture in a subject is one of the most important lectures of the semester. Itusually introduces very important information about the unit/subject, such as unitcoverage, scheduling, assessment requirement and assignment setting (e.g.,assignment topics, mark distribution and due dates), and special learningrequirements. It is with this information that students may plan ahead for specificlearning events during the semester/trimester. For example, if two or more units haveassignments due in the same week or on the same day, you may have to plan aheadand complete one of the assignments well before its due time. Make sure you do notmiss out on this information or you may experience a number of difficulties during thesemester.The first five minutes of each lectureIt is essential to be in the classroom before the lecture starts: lecturers normallyannounce any useful information about the unit/subject matter of the week during thefirst few minutes of the lecture. This information may include updates to teachingmaterials, changes in the scheduling of tutorial or other teaching/learning activities,assignment global extension, assignment marking comments/feedback and so on.The information may have an impact on your weekly learning requirement, but it maynot be included in the lecture slides. If missed, you may be unable to get it fromanywhere else, unless you ask you lecturer/tutor or fellow students after the lecture.In addition, most lecturers will outline the purpose of the lecture in the first fewminutes, and give you an idea of what they hope you might gain from the lecture. Assuch, it is strongly recommended that you be in classroom before the lecture starts.Effective listening in lectureMost international students from non-English speaking backgrounds feel it is hard tolisten effectively to lectures. This is specifically true for first year internationalstudents from such backgrounds. To be an effective listener, you need to improveyour concentration (i.e., maintaining motivation/focus), prepare for asking questions,analyse the message from the lecture, take notes and so on.Improve your concentration when listening to lectures141