Problem 1.
A new student from Korea called Jabi has just received a mark for his first assignment but it is lower than he expected, about 60%. In Korea he normally received A’s or marks of about 80%. He is confused because he worked hard and is worried that his language abilities are affecting his grades.
Dear Jabi:
You do not be upset about your score of the first assignment. In Australia, the marking system is mostly to blame. It is tough, few subjects give final grades above the eighties, scores between 75and 85 are considered very well. Most results are in the mid to high 60s.Any result above 50 per cent is a pass. So 60% is not a worse score.
It is important that to understand the Australian system, and then to know what to except. Although it is that, we still should work hard to improve our English. If we have a high level, the represent accepted score will be achieved. Thus be confidence on the study! Good luck!
You do not be upset about your score of the first assignment. In Australia, the marking system is mostly to blame. It is tough, few subjects give final grades above the eighties, scores between 75and 85 are considered very well. Most results are in the mid to high 60s.Any result above 50 per cent is a pass. So 60% is not a worse score.
It is important that to understand the Australian system, and then to know what to except. Although it is that, we still should work hard to improve our English. If we have a high level, the represent accepted score will be achieved. Thus be confidence on the study! Good luck!
Yours sincerely,
Lillian and Volcano
Problem 2.
An essay that just describes the main ideas and repeats the teacher's ideas will not geta good mark in Australia. Because academics in Australia require students to show that they have researched the topic's main idea, thought about the ideas, and developed their own argument.
Solution: Here is some advice about how to write the essay in order to get a good mark.
Firstly, in the class you should listen to the lecturer's points and understand the main ideas of the topic.
Secondly, after the class, you should do a lot of research on the internet or in textbooks.
Thirdly, you should outline the main ideas and opinions and sum up the useful information from your research.
Next, when you write an essay, you should add your own ideas about the event.
Finally, you should give a reference each time you quote the words of another person.
The best of luck!
Abdulhakim & Becky
Problem 3.
Gurpreet is from India. He was asked to write an article about the causes of global warming. He found a really good article in a journal by Al Gore, a very well known Environmental expert. He was very pleased at his research skills. He put the article into his own words and submitted it as his essay. When he got his essay back he had failed. He doesn’t know what he did wrong.
Advice:
After analysis the problem, we found that Gurpreet was suffering from culture shock in the classroom. He was asked to write an article about the causes of global warming. He just went away and did what he thought was wanted. He might be wrong about how to do that. He should work out what he needed to know and then ask for help such as from librarians, other students, study skills advisers and his teacher.
The more important reason is cheating. He found a good article and put it into his own words and submitted it as his essay. Gurpreet used his own words, which is good, but it is also a type of plagiarism, because he did not say where he got the ideas. When a student uses someone else’s idea, opinion or theories, they must give acknowledgement by using a reference. Counsellors:
Sparrow & Simon
Advice:
After analysis the problem, we found that Gurpreet was suffering from culture shock in the classroom. He was asked to write an article about the causes of global warming. He just went away and did what he thought was wanted. He might be wrong about how to do that. He should work out what he needed to know and then ask for help such as from librarians, other students, study skills advisers and his teacher.
The more important reason is cheating. He found a good article and put it into his own words and submitted it as his essay. Gurpreet used his own words, which is good, but it is also a type of plagiarism, because he did not say where he got the ideas. When a student uses someone else’s idea, opinion or theories, they must give acknowledgement by using a reference. Counsellors:
Sparrow & Simon
Problem 4
Han is a psychology student from Vietnam. She was asked to write an essay that compared, analysed and evaluated the theories of Sigmund Freud and Karl Jung, two eminent psychoanalysts. She wrote a comprehensive essay describing the lives of the two men and wrote about their theories of how the mind works. After reading her essay the teacher explained to her that she needs to apply more ‘critical thinking’ skills when writing an essay, but Han is not sure what this means.
Dear Han,
The teacher explained to you that you need to apply more “critical thinking” skills when writing an essay after reading your essay. If you do not understand what the critical thinking skills mean, you have 3 ways solve this problem. First method, you can ask teacher to explain it means after class. Second way, you can go to the library to research the exactly meaning of critical thinking skills. The last way, if the teacher have no time to explain it to you after class, you can send email to ask the answer. David & H.David
Dear Han,
It is important to understand that an Australian tutor or lecturer expects you to do more than just 'describe' or 'explain' theories and ideas. Critical thinking is very valued in Australia, and your writing needs to reflect this. Look at these two examples from students who are writing on the same topic:
Student 1 - Peter
Tom Mason is an American lecturer from Harvard University. He wrote a theory in 1995 called the ‘Accounting Law Application Theory’ which is taught to many business undergraduate students in English speaking universities. It is a theory used to help student understand new methods of creating a profit and loss statement.
Student 2 – Miranda
Tom Mason’s theory of Accounting Law Application theory is a modern and progressive theory which can be compared to Smith’s theory, which was popular in the 1990s. Mason’s methodology for creating a profit and loss statement is a significant improvement however, as it creates a more accurate result. (Brown, 1999).
Peter has ‘described’ the theory, without applying or analysing it. The lecturer cannot be sure that Peter has understood Mason’s theory, so he would not receive a high mark for this essay. On the other hand, Miranda has gone further – it is clear that she has researched, understood and thought about the Mason’s theory. She compares it other theories and offers an evaluation of the theory. The lecturer can see that Miranda understands the theory very well, and she will receive a higher mark than Peter.
The teacher explained to you that you need to apply more “critical thinking” skills when writing an essay after reading your essay. If you do not understand what the critical thinking skills mean, you have 3 ways solve this problem. First method, you can ask teacher to explain it means after class. Second way, you can go to the library to research the exactly meaning of critical thinking skills. The last way, if the teacher have no time to explain it to you after class, you can send email to ask the answer. David & H.David
Dear Han,
It is important to understand that an Australian tutor or lecturer expects you to do more than just 'describe' or 'explain' theories and ideas. Critical thinking is very valued in Australia, and your writing needs to reflect this. Look at these two examples from students who are writing on the same topic:
Student 1 - Peter
Tom Mason is an American lecturer from Harvard University. He wrote a theory in 1995 called the ‘Accounting Law Application Theory’ which is taught to many business undergraduate students in English speaking universities. It is a theory used to help student understand new methods of creating a profit and loss statement.
Student 2 – Miranda
Tom Mason’s theory of Accounting Law Application theory is a modern and progressive theory which can be compared to Smith’s theory, which was popular in the 1990s. Mason’s methodology for creating a profit and loss statement is a significant improvement however, as it creates a more accurate result. (Brown, 1999).
Peter has ‘described’ the theory, without applying or analysing it. The lecturer cannot be sure that Peter has understood Mason’s theory, so he would not receive a high mark for this essay. On the other hand, Miranda has gone further – it is clear that she has researched, understood and thought about the Mason’s theory. She compares it other theories and offers an evaluation of the theory. The lecturer can see that Miranda understands the theory very well, and she will receive a higher mark than Peter.
I hope this helps Han!
Regards, Josephine
Problem 5
Javier is a sociology student from Columbia. He was given the essay question, ‘Discuss both the problems and advantages that have arisen from rapid urbanisation in developing countries like India’. He was unsure of the meaning of ‘urbanisation’ but thought it might have something to do with crime and so he wrote his essay about that. He received an unsatisfactory grade.
When Javier discussed his essay, he had very deliberately organised his thinking and writing according to the way he had been trained to write essays in Columbia. The form of the essay between Columbia and Australia are different, and they lacked any conclusion which might have summarised the main points made in the body of the essay. And Javier was writing his essay according the clear academic style appropriate within his own Columbia culture. The lecturer, judging the essay in terms of his own culture style, would not find it acceptable. So Javier had to learn to adjust her purpose and to adapt the structure of her essay to meet the expectations of his lecturer.
Sida and Lei
Problem 6
Mohammed from Saudi Arabia was given a research project to do on the Australian political system. The teacher gave him very little information but suggested some articles in the library that would help him complete the assignment. Mohammed had never used the library before and was unsure how to find things. His research was inadequate and as a result he received a poor mark. He felt that he should have been given clearer directions by his teacher.
Mohammed from Saudi Arabia was given a research project to do on the Australian political system. The teacher gave him very little information but suggested some articles in the library that would help him complete the assignment. Mohammed had never used the library before and was unsure how to find things. His research was inadequate and as a result he received a poor mark. He felt that he should have been given clearer directions by his teacher.
What you need to know isthat research skills are very important for your study. You have to develop your ability of searching information. In addition to use library while you doing your assignment is also helpful. If you are not very clearer about the project you are given, it better off ask your teacher to explain that for you. The teacher may not tell you how to do it, but you would be given some guides or suggestions which are helpful for your assignment.
Remember that if you learn the skills about doing research, it also will be useful in the future.
Ingrid
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