Academic expectations and learning styles of Arabic international students at an Australian university

Academic expectations and learning styles of Arabic international students at an Australian university

This study investigates general and specific academic expectations and learning styles of students with an
Arabic background in Australian higher education. The study explores cross-culturally embedded learning
prospects of the students enrolled particularly in an English for academic purposes program at an
Australian university. While encountering a new and unfamiliar academic culture, the students often
come across various situations where they have to cope with a wide range of Australian tertiary academic
norms and values. Data were collected from a questionnaire and individual interviews. The findings of the
study indicate that the students’ academic expectations do not match well with Australian higher
education standards. The students tend to show their needs to adapt to changes in the different academic
environment and seem to heavily rely on visual learning styles. It is suggested that pedagogical strategies
need to be developed and implemented in order to provide appropriate and practical ways of assisting the
students’ academic transition and adaptation in the Australian academic context.

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