Date of Award
9-22-2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Journalism, MSMC
First Advisor
Dr. Gilbert Fowler
Committee Members
Dr. Gilbert Fowler; Dr. Lillie Fears; Dr. Polin Pan
Call Number
LD 251 .A566t 2016 P35
Abstract
International students face difficulties after landing in different soil, climatic condition, environment, and socio-economic settings. There exist a mismatch between the conventional teaching methods and strategies back home and state of the art techniques employed in the United States. Through understanding, class discussion, participation and in-depth analysis of subject matter is possible only with two way communication medium, which happens to be English language for inside and outside of the classroom environment. English is a second language for many countries, however, lacks effectiveness due to less understanding of phonetics, accents, vocabulary, phrases and idioms, and localized slangs. An international student finds it hard to forgo their dominant features such as mother tongue tone, and culture. So, this study was conducted in order to explore the underlying difficulties due to differences in language and culture international students at Astate face during the term of their stay for education purposes in United States. How they overcome their problems to achieve academic success and what can be done or suggested to the prospective students? Using quota sampling, 17 students representing 7 countries were proportionately chosen for face to face interviews. Furthermore, personal communication was made with the concerned persons working with/for international students. Researcher transcribed audio files and creates a theme to the answers respective to each question. Research showed that basic language skills development was hindered primarily by their native mother tongue. The communication problem is deeply rooted to their upbringing, socialization process, educational system, and socio-economic environment. Accents and tones seem localized in pattern of speech. Students hastily decide to join American universities at the eleventh standard without sufficient preparation. The interviewees also unanimously regarded the need to learn the culture and master language skills to thrive in new environment.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Pal, Ashutosh, "Challenges And Potential Solutions to Communication Problems Faced by International Students at Arkansas State University" (2016). Student Theses and Dissertations. 641.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/641
