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The challenges, and pleasures, of teaching and learning in a foreign language

Helpful ideas for foreign students

A close-up of a microphone as an academic conference is about to take place

Israelis are renowned for their excellent English. Foreign tourists, as well as new immigrants, marvel that everyone from doctors to taxi drivers to passersby on the street speak the language to some degree.

But as any Israeli who has moved abroad to study knows, passable English is not enough to succeed in a university environment. Whether you’re a doctoral candidate trying to complete your thesis, or a new lecturer struggling to communicate articulately with your students, this article can help you thrive in your new academic home.

As a non-English speaking doctoral candidate or teacher, you have already proved your ability to compete on a global stage. All you need now is a strategy to overcome the hurdles and reach the finish line.

Be communicative in class and on campus

  • Don’t worry about being ridiculed for your foreign accent. Remember, practice makes perfect! Confidently speak up in class and express your opinion. Articulate each word slowly, clearly, and loudly.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions or clarifications when necessary.
  • Push yourself to participate in debates or other public speaking events such as a Three Minute Thesis competition.
  • Be social! Building strong relationships with your fellow researchers, attending social gatherings, and joining group activities will give you more opportunities to practice your language skills.
  • Beware of the common mistakes that Hebrew speakers make in English: the incorrect use of infinitives (“I must to go”); confusing the verbs “to order” and “to invite” (the same word in Hebrew); and ascribing gender, as in Hebrew, to inanimate objects like tables and chairs.

Teach for success

Teaching in a second (or third) language presents its own particular challenges. It is easy to choke up and forget your English when you are standing at the lectern or blackboard, with a room full of students writing down every word. Here’s how you can make the classroom experience go more smoothly:

  • Speak slowly, carefully, and clearly to ensure that your students can follow your lessons.
  • Make your teaching more entertaining. You can use powerpoint, video, and other powerful visual aids, and create experiments and group projects to keep students motivated and engaged.
  • Talk with your students and address them with respect. Engage them in meaningful conversations. Remember, they are as curious to communicate with you as you are with them! The more comfortable they feel with you, the more they will accept you.
  • Be yourself. Focus on reducing tension in class by building a friendly rapport with students. By stepping down from your position as an authority figure, you will find your students paying more attention in class. However, friendliness is no replacement for order. Be sure to maintain classroom discipline.

Practice writing clear, error-free compositions

The best way to become a better English writer is by writing. You can hone your skills by writing emails, blogs, and attending academic proofreading and writing workshops conducted on your university campus.

The bottom line is: Keep writing something every week!

  • Make a list of your most common writing mistakes. Are your verbs and prepositions in place? Are you prone to writing long and complicated sentences? Do you overuse colons, semicolons and parentheses?
  • Do not worry about writing a perfect text on the first go. First, get down your ideas on paper. Then go over your writing and try to improve it, editing to produce a clear, error-free text. A professional editing service can help you achieve that goal.
  • English-language editing, performed by native English-speaking colleagues or friends, is a great opportunity for them to review your work and give you feedback. When people correct you, ask them to explain your mistakes. Maintain a diary of these suggestions and try your best to avoid similar errors in the future.

Read the work of great academic writers

Take time out of your busy schedule to carefully read an academic research paper or a well-written thesis every week. Studying the style, vocabulary, phrases, and the structure of arguments will provide you with helpful models to produce clear, coherent, and error-free texts.

Steer clear of jargon

Complicated sentences and too much technical vocabulary will only end up confusing your readers. Whether you’re writing for your thesis committee or for your first journal submission, the best academic writing is clear, concise, and lets your arguments and critical analysis shine.

Edit your paper now!