What are the Challenges of Linguistically Diverse Students?

Posted on: December 15, 2024 by admin

International students choose to study in Australia for high-quality education and attractive work opportunities. While the country is a hub for culture and language diversity, these students face various challenges in learning environments. Some include language and cultural barriers, limited resources and support and teaching gaps. 

These challenges can adversely affect linguistically and culturally diverse (CALD) students and their educational experience. 

What Is a Linguistically Diverse Student?

A linguistically diverse student is someone who speaks more than one language. They often speak a different language from the one they learn. Linguistically diverse students can include the following:

• Multilingual students: Learners who speak more than one language. They often learn them from family or their community. 
• Heritage language learners: Students who speak a different language at home than they learn at school. They often live with family members who only speak or communicate in their mother tongue. 
• Different dialects: Learners who speak different dialects or variations of a regional or commonly spoken language. Their dialect can impact the way they pronounce words or understand specific phrases. 

Common Challenges for International Students

Students from different language backgrounds must integrate into a university or college with unshared cultural norms. They are taught in a foreign language in these environments, and their peers use unfamiliar phrases and communication methods. These scenarios can pose various challenges for linguistically diverse students. 

Language Barriers

Students struggle to understand teachers or lecturers because they are taught in an unfamiliar language. They may misinterpret instructions, teachings, and assessments and have difficulty communicating with their peers.

Teaching Gaps

Educators can have limited experience teaching students of different languages. They may lack the skills or resources for modifying lessons in other languages, which can impact student learning experiences. 

Difficulty Socialising 

International students often leave their peers behind when immigrating to a different country. As newcomers to their learning environment, students must join new social groups. Coming from cultures with other languages and norms can make this experience more challenging. They may have difficulty relating to their fellow students, making them feel isolated. 

Available Resources

Textbooks and learning materials are often only available in some languages. Some universities and colleges may also not have translators or interpreters in class. As a result, students must rely on digital translation tools, which may be less accurate.

Assessment Challenges

Fair testing is another challenge for multilingual students. Language barriers can impact how students perform in assessments. They may struggle to understand and answer questions correctly and get a lower grade. While these scores may not reflect a student’s ability, they can impact their academic record and progress in the long term.

Cultural Differences 

Students from diverse language backgrounds have distinct cultural norms and cues. These can cause miscommunication and misunderstandings in and outside of class. It can also make it difficult for them to participate or collaborate in social or group scenarios. 

For example, a learner from a culture where it is seen as disrespectful to debate or argue can have difficulty participating in a group discussion where this behaviour is encouraged.  

Emotional and Psychological Impact

Integrating into a new learning environment is challenging for most students. However, this task can be more difficult for learners with a language barrier. They must navigate a new campus, get to know different people and excel academically while learning a different language. 

Students may feel more anxious about attending school, participating in class, and taking assessments. As a result, some learners avoid going to campus or participating in class, which can negatively affect their academic performance and mental health.

How Translators and Interpreters Can Improve Learning Experiences of CALD Students

Translators and interpreters are important for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) students. They can make the learning experience better in various ways.

1. Facilitating communication: Professional translators can translate lectures and discussions in real-time. They help CALD students understand what’s being taught and participate fully. 
2. Translate course materials: Language experts can translate syllabi and textbooks so every student can access important information. This support helps students keep up with their studies and academically succeed.
3. Create cultural awareness: Professional Interpreters can educate professors and classmates about different cultures, which creates a more inclusive environment. This understanding helps everyone feel respected and valued
4. Improve family participation: Professional translators and interpreters can inform families about academic progress and university resources so students can get support from home.
5. Support well-being: Translators can help students access mental health services and community resources to get their needed support.

Contact SYL for Professional Translation and Interpretation Services

Translators and interpreters are key to enhancing the CALD student experience. They can bridge the communication gap, create inclusive environments, and support student well-being and learning.

SYL knows the importance of language professionals in education. We have qualified and experienced translators and interpreters to meet this need. Our NAATI-certified professionals work with lecturers and students to facilitate communication in learning spaces, educate on cultural differences and enhance educational experiences.

Contact us online today to learn more about our language services.