Learning experience of international students Essay

Learning experience of international students - Essay Example This paper expounds how foundation courses in the UK enhance the learning experience of International students. Learning in the UK is conducted through the English language. According to Cormie (2009: n.p). approximately 6000 different languages are spoken all over the world today. This shows that some of the students may be from non-English speaking backgrounds. It is also important to note that English may also be the second language of some of the students. In this regard, foundation courses present International students with a chance to improve their English language skills. One of the requirements for University entry in the UK is command of the English language. Foundation courses are specially designed to prepare International students to achieve these requirements (University of Bristol, 2015: A4). University of Bristol (2015: A4) explicates that their International foundation program helps students "Improve their general academic skills of taking notes from lectures, learn to deal with academic reading texts, and improve their writing skills". These skills provides International students with proficiency and dexterity necessary in starting a University degree program. In other words, students acquaint themselves with note taking, reading, and writing as these skills are incorporated in the culture of learning institutions in the UK. Foundational courses also gives International students an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the new culture as well as the environment in general before joining University (Horvath and Medgyes, 2014: 12). University courses comprises of interactions and discussions with people from different cultural backgrounds. It is therefore imperative to understand and comprehend how to interact with people from other cultures particularly in new countries as some spoken or written opinions may be considered taboo in those cultures. Learning environments refers to physical environment or surroundings. As an example,