DIGITAL LIBRARY
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INTERNATIONAL AND AMERICAN STUDENTS’ CLASS PARTICIPATION IN AN AMERICAN GRADUATE CLASSROOM SETTING
Anadolu University (TURKEY)
About this paper:
Appears in: EDULEARN10 Proceedings
Publication year: 2010
Pages: 3506-3509
ISBN: 978-84-613-9386-2
ISSN: 2340-1117
Conference name: 2nd International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies
Dates: 5-7 July, 2010
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences between international and American students’ class participation in a graduate classroom setting at a university in the State of New York. The research question addressed in the study was ‘What are the differences between international and American students’ participation in class discussions in a graduate classroom setting?’. The study followed a qualitative design using class observations and student interviews as the means of data collection. Participants of the study were seven students of the observed class, three American and four international students. Results of the study indicated three main differences between American and international students’ class participation: differences in giving short answers and examples, differences in asking questions to the instructor and/or classmates, and differences in answering questions or making explanations assigned by the instructor. Results have been discussed in the light of possible effects of language competencies and cultural differences.
Keywords:
class participation, international students, cultural differences in classroom settings.