The communication patterns of Chinese students with their lecturers in an Australian university

Chinese students are now the largest group of international students in the Australian higher education sector. The patterns of Chinese communication and education affect the ways that Chinese students engage with their lecturers and manage their learning relationships. A case study of these patterns provides a small window through which to observe the progress of higher education internationalisation in Australia. In this study, the experiences of seven Chinese students in a multicultural educational context are explored, with a focus on their communication practices and relationships with their lecturers in Australia. This paper contributes to understandings of how student–teacher communication practices affect learning experiences for Chinese students in Australian or other international universities.     

Deciding to reveal sexual information and sexuality education in mother-daughter relationships

Communication privacy management theory informed this study of nine mothers and their 18- or 19-year-old daughters who were interviewed to understand privacy rule foundations that influence their decisions to reveal or conceal sexual information. Findings reveal the salience of motivation and the risk–benefit ratio when making decisions about revealing or concealing private information. Namely, mothers may have many motivations to talk to their daughters, whereas daughters are motivated to discuss sex with a trusted source. Mothers’ perceived risks of talking about sex included judgement from other parents, and daughters were concerned about disappointing their parents. Additionally, a privacy rule emerged during joint mother–daughter interviews that stipulated ‘we talk about everything but the details’, and mothers volunteered their privacy rule acquisition of talking about sex with daughters differently from the ways their mothers talked to them. The findings augment sex education research by showing how mothers and daughters who talk about sex assess their decisions to do so.     

Does First Sex Really “Just Happen?” A Retrospective Exploratory Study of Sexual Debut Among American Adolescents

First sex marks a significant transition for most adolescents, yet teens often report that it was unplanned. Seventy-four college students participated in exploratory focus groups about their first sex. Although initially asked whether their first sex was spontaneous or planned, many participants revealed evidence of forethought or anticipation, signifying a third option, anticipation. This study suggests that the development and timing of sexual health messages should build on the apparent, albeit often unacknowledged, planning and thought that accompany the transition to first sex. Specifically, during the time immediately preceding first sex, young people might be particularly open to such messages.     

Teacher–child relationships and early childhood practice

This phenomenological study explored how two experienced teachers interacted with children in classes of three‐ and five‐year‐olds. The aim was to further understand the nature of practice that promotes communicative teacher–child relationships. The study took place in a private preschool programme in the United States. Through once‐a‐week participant observations from September to December 2009 and interviews with the teachers, the study illustrated how their practice was based around valuing children’s ideas, effort, space and work, and around maintaining enthusiasm towards children’s and their own learning. In these processes, the study showed the importance of (1) teachers’ firm understanding of the context of children’s development, and their awareness of the role which they play in creating this, and (2) an environment that promotes ‘flow’ of their practice. As the study builds on developmental systems theory, the findings highlight the ways in which contexts that support teachers’ professional autonomy may influence their interactions and relationships with children.     

语码转换与社会身份构建

语码转换作为一种普遍存在于世界范围内的社会语言交际现象,在交际过程中,它可用作一种社会指针,标记或构建交际双方的社会身份,这是源于语言与社会辩证统一的构建关系。因此,人们在交际过程中可以通过语言的选择和转换实现社会身份的构建。     

Supporting the transition from Primary to Secondary school for pupils with social,emotional and behavioural needs: a focus on the socio-emotional aspects of transfer for an adolescent boy

Transitions represent an important milestone for children and are experienced differentially. For some children, transitions represent a critical period that can have a long-term impact on their lives. This paper examines the socio-emotional aspects of the transition through an exploration of the findings derived from an evaluative case study of a group-work intervention to support children with Social, Emotional and Behavioural Needs across the Primary-Secondary transition, seen through the eyes of an adolescent boy and related stakeholders. The study took place in two local authorities in Scotland. The intervention is informed by the ‘Teaching for Understanding Framework’ (Project Zero, Harvard University) and ‘Multiple Intelligence Theory.’ The study examines the impact of the intervention on participating pupils, in the process exploring the variables that impacted on pupil progress both internal and external to the intervention. The findings highlight the importance of: building trustful and respectful relationships between adults and children; creating a safe environment in which children will be listened to and cared for; high quality pedagogy and continuity and progression across the transition; and understanding the complexity of factors which may impact on the transition for individual children, particularly for those who may be at greater risk across it.     

Co-teaching as Teacher Training: Experiential Accounts of Two Doctoral Students

There is a growing body of literature exploring the benefits and challenges of co-teaching in higher education. However, there has been little focus on co-teaching from a doctoral student perspective. Drawing on our experiences co-teaching at a large, research-intensive university in Canada, this paper discusses the steps taken to co-design, co-facilitate, and co-assess a graduate level course. We recommend that co-teaching be further explored and implemented in higher education, particularly in doctoral programs, as it provides opportunities to expand personal teaching styles, develop diversified curriculum, build confidence, and take greater risks in the classroom—all of which benefit educators and students alike.     

抓住练笔契机提高写作能力

一提到作文,许多学生抓耳挠腮、唉声叹气。尽管苦思冥想,仍无话可写、表达生硬、空洞无物。如何改变这种状况,让学生乐于写作呢？为了提高学生的写作兴趣,我在教学中从仿入手,巧抓各种契机,让学生初尝成功的喜悦,享受写作的乐趣。本文主要从挖掘文本,以仿促写;巧借课后练习,培养学生写作能力;借助综合性学习平台,让练笔走进生活;巧抓时机,激发兴趣四个方面来阐述如何抓住练笔契机,提高学生的写作能力。     

高校教师“话痨”现象分析

在社会压力剧增、心灵世界危机突起的现代社会,“话痨”现象成为高校教师群体中的普遍现象,成为危害高校教师心理健康的重要问题。从哲学根源上来看,“话痨”现象是当前社会整体异化现象下人性扭曲和压抑状态在心理层面的体现;从现实根源上来看,“话痨”现象源于职业、社会和个人因素所带来的心理压力。缓解和根除“话痨”现象所折射出的高校教师心理问题成为当前提高高校教师健康的重要议题。     

宋江绰号漫谈

在《水浒传》中,宋江共使用了三个绰号,分别是＂孝义黑三郎＂、＂呼保义＂、＂及时雨＂。通过考察这些绰号的含义、来历及使用状况,可以看出宋江形象所蕴含的历史内容,尤其是＂呼保义＂与＂及时雨＂,更分别代表了《宋江三十六人赞》与水浒戏对宋江价值不同的取舍。