Study Skills for Chinese Students: (Student Success)

This is a really useful and comprehensive guide for Chinese students about the essential academic skills needed for successful study in higher education in the UK. It covers all skill areas as well as general information for Chinese students new to the UK academic environment.' - Julie Watson, Principal Teaching Fellow in e-Learning and Head of eLanguages, University of Southampton Leaving China to study in the UK for the first time can be a daunting experience. You will be entering a new country and education system with its own culture, customs and values, some of which will be totally different from those back home. You will need to acquaint yourself with these differences to achieve your goals while studying in the UK and make the most of your stay. You may be finding it difficult to find this information, you may even be feeling anxious about the move or struggling to fit into your new environment. Help is at hand! This easy-to-read book is designed to be your companion throughout your university studies in the UK, providing practical information and skills and strategies for success. This guide: Introduces you to many life skills needed to support your studies in the UK, such as food, socialising and local amenities Contains information regarding UK assessment, lectures, seminars, campus life and support available from faculty Covers language and comprehension skills to help you communicate in your work and in the classroom with peers Explains the main differences between Eastern and Western thinking and culture Includes research skills and strategies for dissertations, essays and exams. Other useful features: Xiangping has included study tips in Chinese to help you fully understand each chapter Key words in each chapter are also provided in Chinese, alongside a test on the topic Hear from other Chinese students about their own experiences studying in the UK. This essential guide will help you to flourish in your UK studies and enjoy yourself along the way! The Student Success series are essential guides for students of all levels. From how to think critically and write great essays to planning your dream career, the Student Success series helps you study smarter and get the best from your time at university. Visit the SAGE Study Skills hub for tips and resources for study success!

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Introduction: Living and Studying in the UK Chapter 2: Developing Your Academic English Skills Chapter 3: Developing Your Academic Study Skills Chapter 4: Assignments, Assessment and Feedback Chapter 5: Research and Dissertations Appendix

About the Author :
Dr Mike Courtney is an Academic Skills Tutor at the University of Hertfordshire, UK.  He has taught in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, The Middle East and the UK. He has researched the influence of culture and language on learning styles and academic skill development.  He currently teaches in the UK and in Hong Kong, in the area of academic skills development and Open Learning. Dr Xiangping Du is an Academic Skills Tutor at the University of Hertfordshire, UK, supporting students in a wide range of academic skills areas. She studied in both a Chinese and English higher education environment, and understands the different academic expectations from her own experience both as a student and as a Tutor. Her research in investigating Chinese students’ perception of motivation towards, and identification with, the English language, enhanced her understanding of the academic challenges Chinese students face when they come to study in an English context. 

Review :
‘Study Skills for Chinese Students really helps me to understand how to study successfully in the UK. I really like the personal stories of some of the students, and Xiangping’s tips in Chinese are really helpful and give me confidence.’ ‘This book is very easy to read and understand. The tips in Chinese help me make sense of English texts. I also find the examples are very useful to demonstrate ‘good’ and ‘bad’ ways of writing. I wish I had this book when I first started studying in the UK. I would strongly recommend all Chinese students studying in the UK to get hold of the book and I am sure it will make a big positive difference to their academic studies and success!’ ‘I really like the clear and detailed explanations of the UK academic ideas and assessments. There are lots of good examples on how to structure answers and how to write and reference academically to avoid plagiarism.’      This is a really useful and comprehensive guide for Chinese students about the essential academic skills needed for successful study in higher education in the UK. It covers all skill areas as well as general information for Chinese students new to the UK academic environment.  It includes helpful examples; short reflective tasks; self tests ; personal guidance from one of the authors and  sections on study tips written in Chinese to aid students’ understanding.  It is a book that is perfectly designed for students to dip into or work systematically through. Importantly, it highlights where there may be dissimilarities in academic cultural practice and provides simple, easy-to-remember tips such as PEEEL for paragraph construction – (main) Point, Example, Explanation and Evidence, Link (to next paragraph) and KISS – Keep It Short and Simple for sentence construction in academic writing. Ranging from living and studying in the UK; through developing your academic English and study skills; assignments, assessment and feedback to research and dissertation, this book packs a great deal of useful information into its 250 pages. [The book] is a well-designed short course for students to dip into – through the use of the detailed contents pages and useful index – or work systematically through. Importantly, it highlights where there may be differences in academic cultural practice between the students’ previous experience and what they may find in UK HE. The book includes a great deal of useful information and can be recommended for Chinese students studying – or preparing to study – in the UK at all levels.