[HelloRipley]

I teach Intro to Computer Science to (mostly) economics majors.

I currently have four Chinese students (out of 45 total), all of whom go through the right motions. They sit in the front of the class, they ask questions after lecture, etc... The types of things your mother would tell you to do so the professor "knows your name".

All four exhibit a significant language barrier. Although... I don't think that is the only thing hampering their performance.

I personally know how hard it can be to learn in a different language environment (I took a university class held in Finland and it was tough to say the least). Luckily, it was a math class and I was able to eke out good marks.

At the risk of sounding cynical, and not wanting to paint a picture of all Chinese students, I get the vibe from mine that they are really just there to get a degree, not to learn AT ALL. Hey... so are many of my WASPy students, let's not kid ourselves. But it's something about the way my Chinese kids want accommodation solely by going through the motions, as if just showing up to class and sitting up front guarantees you an A. I just don't see the real effort on their behalf.

[debrangy]

Do you have any actual examples of their poor academic behaviour, or are you just speculating? Because it sounds like you're singling them out for being Chinese right now.

[Gustomaximus]

In Australia international students, a large proportion from China have built a reputation on endemic cheating. There is also culpability on the institutional side as universities allow them through degrees with different set of standards as the uni's appreciate full fee paying international students vs subsidised government paid national students. I met my wife, a foreigner at an Australian uni and she absolutely recognised her preferred treatment as a personal anecdote;

A quick Google shows this example article. Many more if you want to research this topic yourself vs imply someone is simply being racist: http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/academics-accuse-un...

And I get what you're saying, and I'm not trying to tar all international students as doing this. More so it's a good topic to discuss, to stop this behavior and protect the reputation and achievement of those students that do work hard and truly earn their degree and other academic accolades. But at least at Australian universities this is a massively widespread problem, which uni's dont want to seem to deal with and it would not surprise me if this was more international.

Edit: Spelling

[dorian-graph]

I went to UQ and they would specifically have to inform international students (primarily Chinese from what I saw) that cheating is not allowed.

[debrangy]

Cheating is not what OP was talking about. You are mentioning a completely different issue.

Also, having been through university myself, cheating is completely widespread through domestic students as well. I'd like to see some statistics that international students cheat more, rather than anecdotes.

[pigpaws]

so basically, you want to see statistics on "lying"? just have a gander at the websites that sell questions. I can't begin to tell you how many there are just for technical certs (cisco, McrSft, etc...). and business is booming. follow the news in India and you'll see all the "cheating student" stories you want.

The issue goes to the fact that grades/school prestige are being used to imply that a student will be a solid addition to a company, yet everyone wants to espouse "Meritocracy" - not realizing that only comes after you're in the "real world" and you've got a few years worth of jobs on your resume/CV.

In life, as in classes there is the way the book tells you how it SHOULD be, and then there is the reality of how it actually is. Sadly, students are unprepared for what they will experience in the "real world". Part of it is the school's fault, but also the students bare some responsibility when they insist on wearing rose-colored glasses.

[debrangy]

I believe you have misinterpreted my post.

[forgetsusername]

He teaches the class. He knows the grades. Do you think he's going to share them on a public forum?

[debrangy]

The only thing OP mentioned was that something felt "off," without actually bringing up anything substantial. This is purely racism.

[HelloRipley]

I am a she.