Twenty-fifth International Conference on Learning

Abstract

The study sought to understand possible challenges faced by international higher education students from Asia when studying at an offshore Australian university in Singapore. A mixed methods approach, including a survey and focus group interview, was employed. The study found that most international students from non-English speaking countries in Asia faced language related challenges. While many international Asian students preferred to have Asian teachers because of the similarity of culture and teaching methods, many also preferred certain aspects of the western learning and teaching styles of western teachers. It is thus recommended that to support the learning and teaching styles and needs of international students from Asian countries, offshore western-based universities in Singapore and other parts of Asia employ a blended learning and teaching approach, where a combination of western and Asian learning and teaching methods are used combining the best features of both approaches.