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Overcoming Linguistic and Cultural Barriers to Student/Staff Communication in International Higher Education: Chinese Students' Experience and Preferences

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Title: Overcoming Linguistic and Cultural Barriers to Student/Staff Communication in International Higher Education: Chinese Students' Experience and Preferences
Language: English
Authors: Felix Goodbody
Source: Journal of International and Comparative Education. 2025 14(2):31-45.
Availability: University of Malaya Press. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 50603. e-mail: jice@um.edu.my; Web site: http://jice.um.edu.my/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Undergraduate Students, Foreign Students, Student Experience, Student Attitudes, Cultural Differences, Teacher Student Relationship, Classroom Communication, Communication Problems, Barriers, Communication Skills, In Person Learning, Computer Mediated Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Individual Characteristics, Semi Structured Interviews
Geographic Terms: China, United States
ISSN: 2232-1802
2289-2567
Abstract: This study examines the communication preferences of Chinese undergraduates in an international university program in China, focusing on the role of language, culture, and communication tools in interactions with foreign staff. Based on semi-structured interviews with 14 students, the research investigates three main questions: how students prefer to communicate with foreign staff (either face-to-face or digitally), perceived differences between the communication style of local and foreign staff, and strategies students use to overcome linguistic barriers. Findings indicate a clear preference for face-to-face communication, valued for its potential to enhance language skills, build rapport, and make use of non-verbal cues. Despite this preference, digital communication is still widely used due to its convenience and embedded translation features, which help bridge language gaps. Students reported differences in communication style between foreign and local staff, with foreign teachers generally perceived as more informal and approachable. The study underscores the importance of culturally sensitive communication and offers recommendations for enhancing student-staff interactions, such as encouraging foreign staff to familiarize themselves with Chinese educational norms and using digital tools to support communication. This research provides valuable insights for improving communication strategies in international educational settings.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1487698
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: Overcoming Linguistic and Cultural Barriers to Student/Staff Communication in International Higher Education: Chinese Students' Experience and Preferences
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Felix+Goodbody%22">Felix Goodbody</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+International+and+Comparative+Education%22"><i>Journal of International and Comparative Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 14(2):31-45.
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  Data: University of Malaya Press. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 50603. e-mail: jice@um.edu.my; Web site: http://jice.um.edu.my/
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  Data: 15
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Label: Descriptors
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Students%22">Foreign Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Experience%22">Student Experience</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+Differences%22">Cultural Differences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Student+Relationship%22">Teacher Student Relationship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Classroom+Communication%22">Classroom Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communication+Problems%22">Communication Problems</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communication+Skills%22">Communication Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22In+Person+Learning%22">In Person Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Mediated+Communication%22">Computer Mediated Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interpersonal+Communication%22">Interpersonal Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Individual+Characteristics%22">Individual Characteristics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Semi+Structured+Interviews%22">Semi Structured Interviews</searchLink>
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  Label: Geographic Terms
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22China%22">China</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+States%22">United States</searchLink>
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  Data: 2232-1802<br />2289-2567
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study examines the communication preferences of Chinese undergraduates in an international university program in China, focusing on the role of language, culture, and communication tools in interactions with foreign staff. Based on semi-structured interviews with 14 students, the research investigates three main questions: how students prefer to communicate with foreign staff (either face-to-face or digitally), perceived differences between the communication style of local and foreign staff, and strategies students use to overcome linguistic barriers. Findings indicate a clear preference for face-to-face communication, valued for its potential to enhance language skills, build rapport, and make use of non-verbal cues. Despite this preference, digital communication is still widely used due to its convenience and embedded translation features, which help bridge language gaps. Students reported differences in communication style between foreign and local staff, with foreign teachers generally perceived as more informal and approachable. The study underscores the importance of culturally sensitive communication and offers recommendations for enhancing student-staff interactions, such as encouraging foreign staff to familiarize themselves with Chinese educational norms and using digital tools to support communication. This research provides valuable insights for improving communication strategies in international educational settings.
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: EJ1487698
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 15
        StartPage: 31
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Experience
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Cultural Differences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher Student Relationship
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Classroom Communication
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Communication Problems
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Barriers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Communication Skills
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: In Person Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer Mediated Communication
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      – SubjectFull: Interpersonal Communication
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      – SubjectFull: Individual Characteristics
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      – SubjectFull: Semi Structured Interviews
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      – SubjectFull: China
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      – SubjectFull: United States
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      – TitleFull: Overcoming Linguistic and Cultural Barriers to Student/Staff Communication in International Higher Education: Chinese Students' Experience and Preferences
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