Shhhh! Chinese students are studying quietly in the UK

ABSTRACT

China is the leading source of international students for the UK. However, there are many differences between Chinese and UK classroom culture; for example, Chinese students may do well in tests and assignments in class, but they are very quiet and are often reluctant to speak up within the classroom environment. This silent behaviour can be a challenge to those lecturers who used to teach in a highly participative environment. The purpose of this study is to explore Chinese students’ silent behaviour and provide innovative strategies for UK higher education institutions how they can support Chinese students and improve their experience in the UK.

KEYWORDS:

• Silent class behaviour
• student engagement
• students’ experience
• teaching strategy
• UK higher education

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Haiping Zhu

Haiping Zhu is a faculty member of Human Resource Management at Jiaxing University (China). She obtained her PhD from Oxford Brookes University (UK). Her research interests include higher education, cultural studies, consumer behaviour and international management. Haiping is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Helen O’Sullivan

Helen O’Sullivan is undertaking a PhD in identifying the antecedents, consequences and nature of brand success in post-1992 UK universities. At Bournemouth University she is the Deputy Head of Department, Department of Marketing, Strategy & Innovation, and an Academic in Marketing for the portfolio of marketing-related undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. Previously, Helen worked in marketing management roles within education and commercial radio, in both the UK and Australia. Current research interests include education marketisation, branding, societal marketing and consumer behaviour. Helen is the co-chair for the Academy of Marketing’s Marketing of Higher Education special interest group, and Guest Editor for the Journal of Marketing for Higher Education. Helen is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Chartered Marketer.