Communication Barriers Experienced by Academicians and International Students during the Education Process and Related Solutions

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Title: Communication Barriers Experienced by Academicians and International Students during the Education Process and Related Solutions
Language: English
Authors: Ferhat Kaçar (ORCID 0000-0003-4053-7163), Yusuf Taha Okan (ORCID 0000-0002-7513-9790)
Source: Higher Learning Research Communications. 2026 16(1).
Availability: Walden University, LLC. 100 Washington Avenue South Suite 900, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Tel: 800-925-3368; Fax: 612-338-5092; e-mail: HLRCeditor@mail.waldenu.edu; Web site: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/hlrc/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 28
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Higher Education, Foreign Students, College Faculty, Communication Skills, Barriers, Cultural Awareness, Language Role, Expectation, Teacher Student Relationship
Geographic Terms: Turkey
ISSN: 2157-6254
Abstract: Objective: In this study, we address the communication barriers between academics and international students using a phenomenological approach. The aim of the study is to examine in depth the communication barriers faced by these two groups in the education process and to develop solutions for these barriers. Method: The qualitative data obtained from semi-structured interviews with 42 academics and 50 international students were analyzed using the MAXQDA 20 package program. Results: In the study, four themes and sub-codes related to these themes were identified--(1) academics' communications problems with international students, (2) solution suggestions for academics' communication problems, (3) international student communication problems, and (4) students' suggestions for improving communication. Conclusions: The findings show that communication barriers are mostly caused by language barriers, cultural differences, and deficiencies in academic and administrative expectations. Academics reported that language barriers made student engagement and course comprehensibility difficult, while students reported language barriers, lack of cultural awareness, and difficulties in adapting to educational approaches. Differences in academic expectations lead to barriers of mutual understanding and communication for both academics and students. Implications: Suggestions for solutions include strengthening language development programs, increasing the cultural awareness of academics, and expanding mentoring programs that support the adaptation process of international students. This study draws attention to the need to create a more effective and inclusive communication environment in today's education systems, where international student mobility is increasing. It is of great importance for educational institutions to develop comprehensive strategies to overcome language and cultural barriers and to find solutions to such communication barriers.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1505439
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Communication Barriers Experienced by Academicians and International Students during the Education Process and Related Solutions
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ferhat+Kaçar%22">Ferhat Kaçar</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4053-7163">0000-0003-4053-7163</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yusuf+Taha+Okan%22">Yusuf Taha Okan</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7513-9790">0000-0002-7513-9790</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Higher+Learning+Research+Communications%22"><i>Higher Learning Research Communications</i></searchLink>. 2026 16(1).
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  Data: Walden University, LLC. 100 Washington Avenue South Suite 900, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Tel: 800-925-3368; Fax: 612-338-5092; e-mail: HLRCeditor@mail.waldenu.edu; Web site: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/hlrc/
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 28
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Label: Education Level
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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>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Students%22">Foreign Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Faculty%22">College Faculty</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communication+Skills%22">Communication Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+Awareness%22">Cultural Awareness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Role%22">Language Role</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Expectation%22">Expectation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Student+Relationship%22">Teacher Student Relationship</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Turkey%22">Turkey</searchLink>
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2157-6254
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Objective: In this study, we address the communication barriers between academics and international students using a phenomenological approach. The aim of the study is to examine in depth the communication barriers faced by these two groups in the education process and to develop solutions for these barriers. Method: The qualitative data obtained from semi-structured interviews with 42 academics and 50 international students were analyzed using the MAXQDA 20 package program. Results: In the study, four themes and sub-codes related to these themes were identified--(1) academics' communications problems with international students, (2) solution suggestions for academics' communication problems, (3) international student communication problems, and (4) students' suggestions for improving communication. Conclusions: The findings show that communication barriers are mostly caused by language barriers, cultural differences, and deficiencies in academic and administrative expectations. Academics reported that language barriers made student engagement and course comprehensibility difficult, while students reported language barriers, lack of cultural awareness, and difficulties in adapting to educational approaches. Differences in academic expectations lead to barriers of mutual understanding and communication for both academics and students. Implications: Suggestions for solutions include strengthening language development programs, increasing the cultural awareness of academics, and expanding mentoring programs that support the adaptation process of international students. This study draws attention to the need to create a more effective and inclusive communication environment in today's education systems, where international student mobility is increasing. It is of great importance for educational institutions to develop comprehensive strategies to overcome language and cultural barriers and to find solutions to such communication barriers.
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 28
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Higher Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Faculty
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Communication Skills
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Barriers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cultural Awareness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Language Role
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Expectation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher Student Relationship
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Turkey
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      – TitleFull: Communication Barriers Experienced by Academicians and International Students during the Education Process and Related Solutions
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            NameFull: Yusuf Taha Okan
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              Y: 2026
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