Teaching International Students

Teaching international students is now mainstream and international students are an important cohort in university classes on-campus and online. This chapter aims to help university teachers to respond to the needs of international students from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, and to feel confident that their teaching approaches are grounded in accepted principles of effective and inclusive teaching (Hunt, Chalmers & Macdonald 2012; Broughan & Hunt, 2012). The chapter examines the nature and extent of international student cohorts and the internationalisation of the curriculum. In so doing, it explores issues associated with social integration, cultural adjustment, written and oral communication, managing intercultural conflict, and developing academic integrity and critical analytic skills. Throughout the chapter, the focus remains sharply on curriculum and teaching approaches that promote the learning of international students and on international students as a resource that can enrich learning. Readers are encouraged to reflect on their own values and approaches to teaching through the 'Your thoughts' questions and cases in order to critically apply the content of the chapter to local university settings.