Supporting off-shore students: a preliminary study

This paper reports on the first part of a recent research study into current initiatives to support the learning of non-English speaking background (NESB) transnational students in Asia who are studying off-shore at Australian universities. Learning support and development staff in 12 universities were surveyed using a questionnaire. The survey yielded data on the varied modes of learning support for transnational students, many of which are Web-based; their perceived effectiveness; their evaluation status and the number and nature of those with a focus on assisting students to avoid plagiarism. The questionnaire elicited responses about future plans, challenges and barriers in relation to the effective learning support of transnational students. Critical themes to emerge were: the importance of person-to-person contact; embedding of learning resources into course delivery; interventions to assist students to avoid plagiarism that acknowledge cultural factors; the need for planning, professional development; adequate resources and attitudinal change.