Culture shock of international students in Canada
Date
2000
Authors
Pelling, Andrew C
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 2000
Abstract
Although the immigrant's orientation to the Canadian way oflife
forms a part of ESL classes, we still tend to think and speak
separately of learning a second language and learning a new culture.
Moreover, while acquisition ofESL is addressed by linguists and
psychologists, very little research has occurred to date on the
process of immigrant's acquisition of a new culture. And yet, it is
held by many ESL teachers that the difficulties of 'learning the
culture' upstage even the difficulties of learning English as a Second
Language. (Disman, 1982, p. 71)
As the number of international students increases in Canada and the number of
English as a Second Language (ESL) students continues to grow in both private and public
institutions, a demand for culture shock understanding is necessary by both teachers and
educational institutions that deal with international students. "If language shock and cultural
shock are not overcome and if the learner does not have sufficient and appropriate
motivation and ego-permeability, then he will not fully acculturate and hence will not
acquire the second language fully" (Schumann, 1981,p. 34).
This study examines international students' experiences in one Canadian university.
The foci of the study are to determine what factors contribute to culture shock and to
explain the ways in which students deal with culture shock. The study also identifies
international students' perceptions of how they feel teachers and educational institutions can
improve in order to better facilitate the international students' induction into the new cultural
milieu.
The participants for this study were chosen through a screening survey from an
"advanced" group of students at a university in Western Canada. From a group of 24
students, six were chosen to participate in a focus group interview. Each of the participants
selected has been identified as having experienced some degree of culture shock.
Description
vii, 85, 3 leaves ; 29 cm. --
Keywords
Students, Foreign -- Canada , Students, Foreign -- Canada -- Psychology , Culture shock , Immigrants -- Canada , Culture shock -- Canada