Lectures and Note-Taking

This student has raised two problems: first, following the lecture : and making notes; second, lack of background knowledge common - local students. Here, is a Hong Kong student commenting on the first of these problems:

I find it very hard to both listen, absorb and write at the same time. Very often I find I don't get what the lecturer is trying to convey at .he instant he finished his sentence and the next moment he's going on to something else. I do feel sometimes that I'm more a recording machine (trying to write down most of the things the lecturer said) than trying to get the essence of the lecture.

You may find it possible to overcome this problem initially by making use of the tapes of lectures in your own time. If a lecturer does not regularly make tapes of his lectures, then you must ask his per­mision to sit in the front row and tape it yourself with your own time. recorder. Most lecturers will permit this so long as they have been asked in advance and so long as the tape is for your personal use. Overseas students have found this strategy extremely helpful, until they reach a stage of sufficient fluency in English to be able to follow the lecture.

The second problem raised by the Indonesian student, her common background with other students, is more difficult. In part it can only be overcome gradually as you read more, learn more the local background, and come to understand more of the and concerns of the society. Another Hong Kong student makes this point in relation to an introductory course in Sociology:

I find t he lectures interesting and systematic. However, I have difficulties in following the discussion. This, I think, is mostly due my lack of knowledge about Western society and culture which provide the basic foundations for studying sociology (with respect to a Western country like Australia ). Therefore, at times I really wonder whether I am just digging the surface of the discipline while other are drilling at its core.

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