As approximately 10% of our student body is comprised of international
students we have dealt with problem for some years. I can not speak for
my colleagues but I personally do not deal with the issue of where a
student comes from. I deal with each student on an individual basis.
Perhaps this is easier for me since my classes never exceed 50 students.
Since most of the problems derive from the lack of communication skills,
I urge any student to avail themselves of all of the support available
at the university. Primarily for us this is our Learning Assistance
Center where tutoring is available as well as other help. I urge all
students for whom English is not the primary language spoken in the
home, to speak only English even when in their "comfort" groups.
Finally one last thought. I am a teacher. That means that when I have
knowledge that my students would benefit from, it is my responsibility
to bring it to their attention. (I do not use the classroom as a bully
pulpit.) Specifically in the area of written communication, I will
identify errors in spelling and grammar when I am sure of my knowledge.
One of the simplest examples of this is a run-on sentence. I usually
espouse the KISS principal, one thought per sentence. It does make a
difference. Also I frequently point out that computers are the dumbest
machines ever devised, they always do exactly what you tell them to do,
never what you want them to do. Point of fact T-R-A-I-L looks the same
to a computer spell check as T-R-I-A-L.
Sorry the subject hits my "hot" button. :-)
Bob Lamb ...deep in the heart of Texas
-----Original Message-----
From: Academy of Legal Studies in Business (ALSB) Talk
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rosemary Hartigan
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2004 9:00 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Question of non-native english speaking students in class?
I have had many international students at UMUC in my MBA classes. . The
policy at the Graduate School is that we apply the same standards to all
students in the class. However, I am sure that some of our more
internationally relativistic faculty disagree with this policy and "do
their own thing." Personally, I agree with Ginger (and it may be one of
the few areas where I can be called a "conservative"). Why is it fair
to make exceptions to standards for non-native English speakers, if we
don't we make them for US students who went to sub-standard grammar and
high schools? If students attend American universities, isn't it their
responsibility to be sufficiently proficient in the language? As for
the cultural aspects, this also seems to be something they need to learn
in order to "play the game" in US businesses. Despite the lip service
paid to "multi-culturalism," to be successful in business, it is often
necessary to make clear recommendations. Our employer advisory panel
made this very clear. The inability to make recommendations is common
to our US students as well.
That said, the international students' perspectives add a fascinating
dimension to the class discussions. They have very different
perspectives on tort law and contracts, for example.
Rosemary Hartigan
Professor and Program Director, MBA, Executive, and International
Programs
University of Maryland University College
Ginger, Laura wrote:
>This is a continuing problem here and seems to involve more students in
our required sophomore-level prerequisite course all the time. It
requires a C for students wishing to major or minor in business and for
various other students as well. We have no department or school policy
on this, and frankly I don't know what my colleagues in the department
do. I try a variety of things. I try to advise the students to drop
the class and take it later after they have been here longer and had
more exposure to the spoken and written language after explaining that
the class puts a premium on the English language in a way that the other
prerequisites may not. I send all students who have a D or F a message
advising them to drop or seriously consider dropping at least twice
before the withdrawal deadline in the ninth week of the semester. This
includes the non-native speakers with a D or F. I sometimes ask for
help from academic advisors in convincing these students to drop. Many
of them do not drop despite these efforts, even after I tell them (if it
is true) that it is mathematically impossible for them to earn a C.
>
>I do NOT make any exceptions to grading policies or standards for
non-native speakers, nor do I give them any extra credit work or
anything else not available to all students. My feeling is that if they
are in the class they should be judged by the same standards as the
other students there. They may not get good advice about enrolling in
the first place, but I try to give them good advice about dropping once
I see the problem. If they remain in the class after that advice, they
will receive the grade they have earned at the end of the semester,
whatever it is.
>Laura
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Academy of Legal Studies in Business (ALSB) Talk on behalf
of Pam Gershuny
> Sent: Thu 10/28/2004 4:07 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Cc:
> Subject: Question of non-native english speaking students in
class?
>
>
>
> Hello too all of you very wise professors,
>
>
>
> I have a number of Japanese students who do not speak,
understand, or write very well in English. They are currently getting
D's in class. What do you think is ethically required? Give them an
extra assignment? Does it have to be offered to all the students? I do
not think they understand the material. I have had many conversations
in my office where I do not think they understand what I am saying. In
other classes, accounting, quantitative methods, etc. they are doing
well. If students receive a "D" in my class they cannot go on in the
business school, a "C" is required to take upper level classes.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Pam
>
>
>
> Pamela Gershuny, J.D., M.B.A.
>
> Assistant Professor of Business Law
>
> Department of Accounting and MIS
>
> Harrison College of Business (AACSB accredited)
>
> Southeast Missouri State University
>
> Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
>
> (573) 651-2097 office
>
> (573) 651-2992 fax
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
> Website http://cstl-hcb.semo.edu/gershuny
>
>
>
>
>
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