academic issues for studying in australia

05/03/2023 Guest Lecture EDSA FKIP Unisma

1

ACADEMIC ISSUES FOR INTERNATIONAL

STUDENTS STUDYING IN AUSTRALIA

ByHarits Masduqi


2

1 THE FIRST MEETING IN CLASS• The first meeting in class is very important in

Australia. • Missing the first meeting is a great loss

• The lecturer will discuss – the outline of the unit/subject, – explain things are expected from the students in

order to pass the unit/subject – explain kinds of assignments required

• Kinds of assignments: critical review and annotated bibliography


3

2 ADDRESSING LECTURERS

• Australians are proud of being ‘egalitarian’ in their behavior

• address their lecturers, academic staffs, administration staffs and librarians by their first names only and might not show as much respect as would be common in Indonesia

• Some lecturers unwilling to be addressed as ‘Mrs., Mr., Sir, or Teacher’


4

3 COMING LATE • Highly unlikely for lecturers and students in

Australia to come late in class

• He or she will directly give opening remarks or comments to get students’ attention

• If you come late:– Open and close the door slowly, – find the nearest seat and be quiet, – do not smile because it may offend your lecturer and

friends.


5

4 NOTE TAKING • It is used to record and remember important

points in tutorials and lectures. • For some international students, note taking is

hard to do (ability to listen, record and write quickly)

• To solve this problem:– use abbreviations, jargons, arrows, and symbols to

shorten their writing – summarizing and paraphrasing – , use tape recorder


6

5 GROUP DISCUSSIONS • Teaching learning process in Australian

universities is student-centered • Students are expected to be active in giving

opinions and sharing ideas with others.

• A lecturer usually divides students into groups in four or five. Each group member is responsible for explaining certain topic/s

• If you do not study before the class, you will not only be passive in class but also will be neglected by your friends


7

6 ASSESSMENT SYSTEM • One unit may require students to write minor

and major assignments as well as to do test/s in class

• The minor assignment:– usually 1500-2000 words in length– can be in the form of writing a short essay, critical

review, research report, annotated bibliography, observation, and presentation.

– percentage varies from 5% to 40%.


8

• the major assignment – covers 3500-5000 words– in the form writing a long essay. – The percentage is various from 50% to 70%

• Both kinds of assignment must be done or submitted based on the due date informed


9

Percentage Mark Note

80-100% HD High Distinction

70-79% D Distinction

60-69% C Credit

50% and over P Pass

Below 50% F Fail


10

7 PLAGIARISM• Plagiarism is the intentional use of words or

ideas of someone else without acknowledging them properly

• In the form of:– using experts’ ideas without mentioning the source

appropriately, – cheating, – collusion, – re-submission of previously marked works, – theft of other students’ works.


11

• It is a serious offence in Australian universities

• If found guilty of plagiarism:– students can be asked to leave the university – their degrees may be withdrawn

• Do not forget to always acknowledge someone else’s ideas if you quote them.


12

8 INDEPENDENT LEARNING• Australians expect you to be independent

• You should not reluctant to ask your lecturers or other academic staffs for explanation or clarification if you find things unclear.

• students have to be able to solve their assignment problems independently because all materials and resources related to students’ tasks are relatively easy to access.


13

9 SOCIAL RELATIONS• Social relations with other students and friends are very

important

• Getting along with other Indonesian students is relatively no problem if you join organization/s formed by Indonesians

• Getting along with other international students and local students are also needed to widen our social relations, our perspectives about different languages and cultures, exchange simple language expressions and slangs


14

AUSTRALIAN SLANGS

• Arvo: Afternoon• Barbie: BBQ• Bludge: Lazy• Breakie: Breakfast• BYO: Bring Your Own• Cuppa: Tea or coffee• Fair dinkum: Australian/genuine

• Fair go: my turn• Lingo: language• Onya: good on you• Reckon: think• Ta: thank you• Telly: television• No wurries: no problem

academic issues for studying in australia

Education