Academic difficulties encountered by East Asian international university students in New Zealand

• Published in: Higher education research and development Vol. 32; no. 6; pp. 915 - 931
• Main Authors: Lee, Boram, Farruggia, Susan P., Brown, Gavin T.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 01.12.2013
• Subjects: Academic Achievement; academic difficulties; Academic Failure; Asian students; Asians; Cognitive Style; Correlation; English (Second language); English for Academic Purposes; Factor Analysis; Foreign Countries; Foreign Students; Higher Education; International students; Interviews; Language Proficiency; Learning problems; Learning Strategies; learning styles; Measures (Individuals); Memorization; New Zealand; Non English speaking background; Postsecondary education; Qualitative Research; Questionnaires; Self Evaluation (Individuals); Statistical Analysis; Student adjustment; Student Characteristics; Student Surveys; tertiary education; Undergraduate students; Universities; University students; New Zealand
• ISSN: 0729-4360; 1469-8366
• DOI: 10.1080/07294360.2013.806444

The study focused on learning difficulties experienced by East Asian International (EAI) students. Participants were 117 EAI students undertaking tertiary study at a major university, all were surveyed and 21 students were interviewed. The findings suggest that language limitations, academic content and learning styles were associated with difficulties in their learning. Difficulties with academic content appeared to act as the major barrier to their academic performance rather than English language. This is contrary to earlier findings, where Asian students often experienced difficulties in tasks that are particularly related to language proficiency. The study also contradicted the popular belief that Asian students are only surface learners.