BM 2090 Research Method Assignment 3: Literature Review

Class: ADBM Groups names: 1. Tong Tran Nguyen 2. Tran Trung Ha 3. Le Hoang Duong 4. Bach Duc Long (1107008643) (1107008624) (1107008604) (1012007784)

1. Purpose of review:

This literature review attempts to identify five main aspects regarding the research topic of adaptation problems of international students in EASB, which are some common adjustment problems of international students in, the core problem among them, average duration for adjustment, the helpful supports for adaptation process, and the effects of these issues. Firstly, to form up our research and comprehensiveness it is vital to understand the common problems and their effects stated by Lewthwaite (1997), Mila (2002), Rodrigo (2011), Steele (2008), and Yue & Le (2009). Secondly, in the same references, there are some information to identify core one in those problems. It is also important to understand stages of adjustment, which is the concern and discussion of Mila (2002) and Rodrigo (2011). Last but not least, international students receive supports from many different sources, which are indicated by Steele (2008), Lewthwaite (1997), Mila (2002), and Kesten, Kiroglu, Elma (2010).

2. Choice of articles: We have chosen to review six articles, which are those of Language and education problems of international students in Turkey, A study of international students

perspective on cross-cultural adaptation, Possible adjustment issues for international students, Perceptions of Chinese students in Singapore: Adjustment Issue and Support, Foreign students cultural adjustment and coping strategies and also Cultural adaptation of Asian students in Australia.

Article one, which is by Kesten, Kiroglu, and Elma (2010), discusses the problems of international students related to language involving four fundamental skills of reading, listening, writing and speaking. Moreover, it also mentions about some academic problems of foreign students such as quality, faculty, and courses Finally, it gives suggestion to solve or mitigate those relevant problems thus it is helpful in the way of giving us insights of linguistic and education problems at different aspects as well as getting us come out some very first ideas about ways to deal with adaptation problems.

Regarding to second article, which is a study done by Lewthwaite (1997), overall problems of international student on cross-cultural adaptation like cultural, academic, language, personal issues are clearly stated and categorized. In addition, it also provides some ways as well as supports that help students overcome those problems. This literature serves as basis for our general understanding and supports us in forming our survey questions.

In the third article by Milla (2002), the author discusses about the 4 stages in adjustment gong along with some common problems that international students possibly face in foreign country. This part can be used as resources to examine common problems and develop our hypothesis. Moreover, this article also talks about sources of support for overcoming and mitigating those problems that is directly concerned with one of our research questions.

The fourth article is done by Steele (2008) who studied Chinese students in Singapore in order to determine adjustment issues and support surrounding them. Based on the results, the report infers implications for theory and practice focusing on enhancing the adaptation for Chinese international students. This article gives us closer detailed view

on our topic by concentrating on Singapore as place of study and concerning with two of our research questions.

The Article 5 of Rodrigo (2011) discusses about adjustment difficulties faced by foreign students in general. Other than that, this article tries to determine coping strategies that those students apply in order to integrate with new environment. This is another article giving us general look at adaptation problems and also assists our approach in dealing with those issues.

The last article by Yue & Le (2009) also deals with cultural adaptation problems of overseas students and the strategies had been used by them to deal with their study and lives in the new environment. Beyond that, this study attempt to find out the differences in the style of teaching and learning of lecturers and students respectively between Asian and Australia, which can be critical gap creating some problems to students and also clue for finding our suitable solutions for academic problem.

3. Synthesis: First of all, it is really important to understand some common problems related to adjustment of international students in new country. Overseas student facing difficulty in new environments is not new topic and still continuously study by many scholars so there are many reports on this topic with different opinions about common adaptation problems. According to Lewthwaite (1997), some overall adjustment problems faced by international students categorized by cultural, language, academic and personal issues, which is supported by Mila (2002) in more detail. Rodrigo (2011) tries to determine more specific common problems like food, hygiene, religion, fashion, climate. Interestingly, Steele (2008) and Yue & Le (2009) come out with same results of common problems that emphasize on language, weather or communication.

Following this sequence, we attempt to find out the core issue in the jungle of adjustment issues. As all of our references are based on overseas students coming to new countries to study, it is not surprising that all of these articles mentioned language

as the most common problem. Lewthwaite (1997) comes first by taking language as one of five categories about adaptation problems, which is repeated by Mila (2002) stating that reluctance to participate in class discussions due to lack of confidence in English ability. Steele (2008) supports by concluding language as one of the three major areas of difficulty identified were learning to speak English, weather, and food. Yue & Le (2009) also agrees by stating language as most obvious characteristic of culture shock. Rodrigo (2011) mentioned in his report that inability to understand the lesson due to lack of language ability is the most common adaptation problems in schooling environment, which support statements of earlier authors.

Understanding stages of adjustment process is also very important in terms of delivering suitable support at suitable times as well as estimate average duration for international students to cope with new environment. Even having different way of entitling each stage, Mila (2002) and Rodrigo (2011) agree that there are 4 stages in adaptation to new culture. At first stage, those foreign students seem to be excited and enthusiastic of coming to new environment with new life. However, when it comes to second stage, they feel uncomfortable, frustrated, sometimes anxious and depressed due to incompatibility with new environment and facing many difficulties. This stage continues until students seem to be familiar with those problems and attempt to find out resolution, which is the third stage period. Finally, after a while, students at last stage can deal with all the problems, become comfortable in new environment.

Identifying the problems is also important but determining the supports helping student to overcome or lessen those problems is the essential and ultimate aim of the research in this topic. As a result, many reports try to find out some successful supports from students experience as well as recommend some available sources that students can approach to solve those adaptation problems. Mila (2002) suggested that foreign students can find supports from their family and relatives by keeping in touch with them or approach academic advisors in campus as well as attend counseling. The report of Lewthwaite (1997) Steele (2008) and Kesten, Kiroglu & Elma (2010) supports first part by stating that friends, family, students servicesLewthwaite (1997) further this issue

with supports from host family, community club and supervisors while Steele (2008) also has some other kind of sources like English course, agency, senior students Interestingly, Lewthwaite (1997) and Steele (2008) come out with same results that somehow contrast with the one from Mila (2002) that counseling is not popular choice of international students for finding resolutions for their problems. After all, family, friends and school seem to be effective support for solving adjustment problems of overseas students.

4. Conclusion: In conclusion, it can be summarized from the chosen literature that there are many problems that international student have to fight to adapt in new environment. Among those problems, language turned out to be the most common or core problem that emerges from many the reviewed articles. It is also noted that foreign students have to pass through 4 emotional stages on order to cope with those problems. Lastly, there are many sources that students can approach to find solutions for their problems and family, schools staffs and services, friends are identified as being the most common ones while counseling is not preferred by most foreign students.

REFERENCES 1. A study of international students perspectives on cross-cultural adaptation Lewthwaite, M. (2008). A study of international students perspectives on cross-cultural adaptation. Available at < http://www.mudface.net/IEC_CrossCulturalAdaptaion_NZ.pdf>. [Accessed on 18 Oct 2012] 2. Possible adjustment issues for international students Mila, V. (2002). Possible adjustment issues for international students. Available at < http://www.wright-counseling.com/Diversity/InternationalStudentAdjustment.htm>. [Accessed on 18 Oct 2012] 3. Perceptions of Chinese international students in Singapore: Adjustment issues and support Steele, K D. (2008). Perceptions of Chinese international students in Singapore: Adjustment issues and support. Available at < https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/bitstream/1807/17326/1/Steele_Kelly_D_200811_PhD_Thesis. pdf>. [Accessed on 08 Nov 2012] 4. Cultural adaptation of Asians students Australia Yue, Y. & Le, T. (2009). Cultural adaptation of Asians students Australia. Available at < http://www.aare.edu.au/09pap/yue091551.pdf>. [Accessed on 18 Nov 2012]. 5. Language and educational problems of international students in Turkey Kesten, A. Kiroglu, K. Elma, C. (2010). Language and educational problems of international students in Turkey. Available at <http://edergi.manas.edu.kg/index.php/sbd/article/viewFile/1805/1532>. [Accessed on 18 Oct 2012] 6. Foreign students cultural adjustment and coping strategies Rodrigo, M S. (2011). Foreign students cultural adjustment and coping strategies. Available at < http://www.ipedr.com/vol5/no2/74-H10195.pdf>. [Accessed on 18 Nov 2012]