Chinese Students' Expectations of Language Learning in Western Culture

This paper reports a small-scale study investigating Chinese students’ expectations of the teaching and learning techniques on a pre-sessional English language course at the University of Worcester. The preconceived view of the Chinese learner is one of passivity in English language classes in the UK, yet this research shows such behaviour does not signify lack of enthusiasm but rather lack of practice or possibly fear of losing face. Students were
aware of the techniques they would experience on the course and, in contrast to these Western preconceptions, were generally accepting and expectant of participative classroom behaviour.
However, those who had already been taught English by a native speaker showed greater awareness and acceptance of Western pedagogy. The personal attributes of the tutor, good teacher-student communication and a low-anxiety classroom environment were the factors they considered most conducive to good learning.