1. The Hello Project: A buddy scheme for international students
Dr Patrick McMahon
English Language Centre
University of Plymouth April 2018

2. The international student experience
The Hello Scheme - organisation
Activities
Student feedback
Video
Questions + Discussion

3. Literature: The experiences of international students
Leonard et al (2003) UKCISA review of unpublished research – travel/accommodation, emotional/affective issues including homesickness, isolation, stress and pastoral care; cultural adaptation and integration; language challenges; and the pedagogical differences in learning styles and teacher expectations
Ryan (2005) – 3 types of shock: culture, language, academic
Brown (2009) – benefits of multicultural campuses remain potentialities
Spencer-Oatey and Xiong (2008) Chinese students, monoethnic groupings, language challenge
McMahon (2011, 2016, 2018) Chinese students’ disappointment with relationships with host society
Caruana (2010) home students’ lack of appreciation of the value of intercultural skills and perceptions that working with international students may bring down their marks

4. “The disappointment in failing to have meaningful relationships with British students is a fundamental theme running through the Chinese student experience.” (McMahon, 2011) “Simply by physically being in a ‘native speaker country’ does not mean that learners have the choice of participating in their chosen target language communities. And when they do, they do not always gain instant acceptance or respect. The simplistic view that if learners are motivated enough, they would find target language speakers to practice the language with is not only misguided, but possibly damaging. This only highlights the short-sightedness of those who have not had the experience of being someone who does not hold any cultural or social capital, and therefore not given the right of speech in a given community.” (Chong, 2012) “If you are not confident with your English you are not confident with yourself” (McMahon, 2016)

5. The Hello Project
Runs September – November every year for six – eight weeks
Home student buddies are recruited through student jobs
(suitable groups of students are targeted – SMU summer school students,
TESOL students)
Home buddies attend training
The Hello Project is publicised (face-to-face induction sessions with students, DLE site, )
Launch event + match up takes place teaching week 2 early evening
Students make arrangements to meet at convenient times once/twice a week
Ongoing management of project: dealing with late comers, non participants, general questions
Closing event

6. Activities Met at a café and talked
Buddies teamed up with other buddies and met in bigger groups
Went bowling
Went to restaurants
Cooked meals for each other
Visited attractions in Plymouth
Went shopping
Celebrated Halloween
Went to pubs/clubs

7. Student feedback
International student feedback in the ECL310 Language Learning Portfolio
International student feedback from survey
Home student feedback from survey

8. International student feedback Themes
Appreciated the practical support in settling in
Appreciated the opportunity for learning about English culture
Appreciated the opportunity for English language practice
Valued the contact with home students

9. International student feedback Comments
“I learnt some local expressions: Cheers mate! Cheers have many different meanings. If you want to say thank you, you can use this word to replace that. …if you communicate with your friends or others, speaking cheers seems more suitable. Also, when you leave the public vehicle, you want to say goodbye to the driver….” “I learnt that I need to improve pronunciation a lot because my buddy cannot understand my pronunciation of ‘usually’. I will attend Pronunciation class” “I can improve my English level……I can get many local friends” “We can share views on different things…let me know more about British culture” “My buddy is really nice and patience, she helped me to adjust to the life in Plymouth” “My buddy not only widen my eye but also help me a lot with my English speaking” “She taught me so much, like country’s history, culture” “It’s a great activity which help people study and solve problems” “I have more confidence to speak with English people” “I am studying alone and I could know new friends”

10. Home student feedback Themes
development of skills: communication skills, intercultural skills
intercultural skills: appreciation of the difficulties that newcomers experience + an appreciation of a new culture and ways of looking at things,

11. Home student feedback Comments
“Getting to know about other cultures” “..provided a great way to relate to new students in a deeper way” “provided opportunities to develop my confidence and communication skills” “I found it very rewarding as I could help someone integrate into student life” “it’s taught me to appreciate the struggles that international students face” “I’ve learned much about the culture of the students and it’s diversified my cultural knowledge” “I really enjoyed seeing the different culture, it pushed me out of my comfort zone and I did interesting things I wouldn’t have done “I explained the library facilities, standards that the lecturers expect in assignments, how to use the DLE” “helped build leadership skills and confidence” “leaves you feeling like a better human”

12. From: (s) xxxxxx Sent: 16 April :14 To: Patrick McMahon Subject: Jet Programme
Dear Patrick
I thought I would write this to inform you that my application for the J.E.T programme was successful. I wanted to thank you for your reference and allowing me to take part in the international student programmes which helped me with my application and interview.
…………………
Best regards
xxx

13. Video
Video link a-a8c500bd3619

14. Questions and discussion