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.Â
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!
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Yes, you can access Study Skills for Chinese Students by Mike Courtney,Xiangping Du,Author in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Study Aids & Research in Education. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.
Congratulations! You have made a very good decision to study abroad in the UK. This book will help you to study successfully so you should read it and keep it with you while you study.
Studying in the UK is a very exciting and valuable experience for you. We know that it is very important to you, and your family, that you are very successful in your studies, and very happy with your life in the UK. Being successful while you are in the UK can mean many things:
1. Getting a good qualification.
2. Feeling happy with yourself and the new experiences you will have in the UK.
3. Improving your English language skills.
4. Gaining a wider knowledge of the world, and UK society in particular.
5. Being independent for the first time since you left China.
6. Making new friends and finding out about their countries and their lives.
7. Preparing yourself well for a good career, either back in China, or internationally.
So success can mean many things, but all of these things can come from using this book to make sure that your studies achieve the results that you want.
Chapter 1: Xiangping’s study tips
Read Xiangping’s tips about settling down well in the UK, managing your time well, and things that you might find strange at first about UK culture.
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FIGURE 1.1
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The United Kingdom: A multicultural society
What exactly is the UK? It means the ‘United Kingdom’, but why ‘United’ and what is a ‘Kingdom’? You might be confused by what exactly the ‘UK’ means. UK is a short form (or acronym) for the ‘United Kingdom’, which is also called Britain. Its full name is the ‘United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’, which indicates that it is a sovereign state consisting of two main islands: Great Britain and the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland. This is different from China, which is considered to be one country. Even though they are part of these two islands, England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland have all been regarded for centuries as nations, with their own languages and cultures, and this is still the correct way to refer to them. So we can talk about the English nation, the Scottish nation, the Welsh nation and the Irish nation. Each of these nations has had kings or queens to rule them in the past. This is why we still use the word ‘Kingdom’.
What does ‘British’ mean?
You will hear this word quite often when you are in the UK. You might hear people say that they are British, or that they prefer British food for example. It is the established term for anything which relates to the UK. So if you have a British passport, you are a ‘British citizen’. Sometimes, the word ‘British’ is shortened to the word ‘Brits’ to refer to British citizens.
The UK is a multicultural society with people from many different nations, ethnic groups, cultures, and religions. In the UK, the word ‘foreigner’ is not a polite word to describe people from outside the UK. People can be referred to by their country of origin – so you are Chinese, but not a ‘foreigner’. It is government policy to treat all citizens fairly and equally under the law, regardless of their country of origin.
The UK is regarded as a monolingual English-speaking society, and the main originator of the English language. The English language is the only official language used in central government. It is one of the most widely spoken languages globally, particularly in business, and is also one of the most popular foreign languages learned and used in the world. The global use of the English language brings many international students to the UK, and China provides one of the largest groups of international students in the UK.
The European Union
The UK and Republic of Ireland are also members of the European Union (EU), which is an international organisation (not a state). It has its own laws which member countries must obey. Citizens of all the member countries have the right to settle in any member state. You will find many European citizens living and working in the UK.
THINK 1.1
What differences do you think you will find between your education experience in China and your new study home in the UK? Write some notes in the reflection box at the end of this chapter.
The UK Higher Education system
In the UK, many students go on to ‘higher’ education from ‘secondary’ education. As in China, good final exam results are essential for all British students who want to go on to further study. However, students also enter Higher Education from many other different routes. Since learning is regarded as a lifelong process, many adults enter Higher Education after years spent in other careers, often enrolling on ‘distance’ modules wh...
