Language and Learning Skills

If you are a new international student at the University of Adelaide and you have previously studied in a language and culture other than English, you may be surprised by some of the differences between the education system you know, and this University. We have therefore made some practical suggestions to help you understand some of these differences.

Freedom of responsibility of your own learning
Firstly, you will probably find you have a great deal of freedom, but this also means that you will have to make many decisions for yourself. You are expected to take responsibility for your own learning and you will need to organise your own timetable, your workload, your schedule for completing assignments and your revision for exams.

You will often have to choose between assignment topics, and then you must decide for yourself how to use the reading lists and references you have been given. To do this, you need to learn the information technology for accessing library catalogues and for doing literature searches to locate important books and journals for your subjects in the relevant university libraries. You will also need to practise 'scanning' and 'skim reading' in order to sort out which texts are relevant to your topic and which ones are not.

Language and learning
The second thing, which may surprise you, is that you have to learn a new language, or perhaps even several 'new languages', one for each new area of learning. By this we don't mean just the specialised, 'technical' language of each of your subjects, although mastering this is, of course, important to your learning progress. But there is also a need for you to learn to recognise some differences between spoken and written English.

It may take some time and effort, and maybe some special strategies, to get used to listening to different lecturers who have different accents, and who use Australian idioms and other unfamiliar expressions.

You will also need to learn how to read material that is written in a formal style, but then talk about it in a much more informal way, for example during tutorial discussions. When you write about your assignments, the procedure is reversed. Things you have thought and talked about informally need to be converted to a compacted style which is appropriate to your topic, and to your reader (or 'audience'). You will also discover that formal written language requirements are sometimes quite different from one university subject to another.

Your academic performance will depend on your awareness of the existence of these language differences, as well as your conscious efforts to recognise and apply them. Help is available, but it is up to you to look for it. Here are some hints:

Getting help (1): Your Lecturers and Tutors
In the first instance, try to get used to talking to your lecturers and tutors, both in tutorials and outside the classroom. Let them know if there are things you can't understand. In Australia, students are expected to ask questions. If this is unusual in your culture, then it is something you will need to learn to do, as part of your 'other' culture. Observe how others do it and build up your confidence. Talking about your work is a basic part of your learning and you need to create every possible opportunity for doing so.

Getting Help (2) The Language and Learning Service in the Centre for Learning and Professional Development (CLPD)
The CLPD's Language and Learning Service is situated on level 2 of the Schulz Building. To find it, go through the Scott Theatre foyer to the lifts at the Western end of the Schulz building. Two Helpdesk sessions are available every day. In the morning sessions (11.30 - 12.30) you can ask quick questions while the afternoon sessions (2-4 pm) provide time to consider more in-depth concerns. Specialised language and learning workshops are available free of charge for local and international students of both non-English and English speaking backgrounds. Workshops cover a range of topics, from Meeting Academic Expectations to Essay Planning and Writing, Grammar for Academic Writing, Preparing for Examination, ESL Conversation Tutorials and others, according to demand.
 
Brochures with up-to-date information about the Language and Learning Service are available at the CLPD reception desk on level 2 of the Schulz Building. For the most recent information on available sessions, go to the website at www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/LLS/.

If you are an international postgraduate research student (PhD or Masters), you will be given a place in the Integrated Bridging Program (IBP) through the Adelaide Graduate Centre. The coordinator of the IBP is Kate Cadman. For further information, visit the Adelaide Graduate Centre's website at here or go to level 13, Tower Building, 10 Pultney Street (phone 8303 3022). 

Getting Help (3): Use The Resources Around You
Try and get to know some of your classmates and socialise with them or organise small study groups where you can ask questions and share some of your ideas in a relaxed environment. 

To help your understanding of Australian accents, listen to local radio. A useful resource is Radio for the Print Handicapped (5RPH), also known as Information Radio, on 1197 on the AM band. Here you can listen to, and read along with readings from Australian newspapers from 10:30 every weekday and, on Saturdays, The Advertiser from 10am, and the Weekend Australian from noon. 

There are special collections of books for English Language and Study Skills (ELSS) in the Barr Smith Library, and in the Waite and Roseworthy Libraries. The ELSS collection in the Barr Smith library is housed in the Reserve Collection and also contains some useful video and audio tapes. To find this collection in the catalogue, simply type the word ELSS in the 'keyword' option. Most of the items are available on short-term loan.

Getting Help (4): Try To Take An Interest In Your New Social Environment And Culture
Much of the work you do at University may use examples, case studies and references taken from the local social environment and culture. Take time to watch news programs on television; to read newspapers; and to build friendships outside of university by joining clubs and getting involved in activities. If you are familiar with Australian culture and society and with current affairs, you should feel more comfortable, and 'at home' while you are studying at the University of Adelaide.   

We hope that our suggestions will help you to make the most of your time of study at the University of Adelaide. 

Barbara Wake and Ursula McGowan
Centre for Learning & Professional Development