Chinese students struggle with communication control

By Min Jiao
5 March 2013

Here is an article about Chinese students’ communication problem. I write last year print in The Collegian.

I’m a Chinese girl and I have lived in China my whole life. When I came here in August 2010, I was worried about how to communicate with Americans. I’m still worried. Other Chinese students have the same worries.

Chinese students who are studying in America face problems communicating with American students around. This is because of cultural differences and language skills. Very few Chinese students become good friends with American students. Chinese students stay in their own circle with one another. Learning to communicate with Americans will begin to solve the problem.

Chinese students learn English, but don’t learn about American culture. When they arrive they form their own circle with other Chinese students. When Chinese students first come to the United States, they are concerned about the language and stay in their dorm room to use the internet, eliminating contact with potential friends. This solitude prevents Chinese students from developing foreign language proficiency.

When I spoke with my host family during my first year here, my host parents asked me some questions, but I could only understand a little. I answered, but my host parents almost could not understand what I said. I struggled to communicate. Gradually, I lost confidence, although my host family and my teachers always encouraged me. Other Chinese students experienced the same situation.

To study in the United States in a totally unfamiliar environment, to learn to adapt and to integrate, each Chinese student faces this problem. To solve it will require the help of other Chinese students. However, in this process, the inherent circle has been slowly formed.

At first, I only had language class with other Chinese students. My roommate is also Chinese. I always spoke Chinese with others every day. So the Chinese circle was slowly formed.

The vast majority of Chinese students learn the language through textbooks before they come to the United States. Textbook content and real-life vocabulary is different. Understanding requires international students to experience more interaction with American. This is part of the completion of the transition between the written language and life terms. Only by understanding local culture can we increase our own self-confidence in language. This makes it possible to be more willing to develop friendships with Americans.

Chinese students are unwilling to participate in the activities of non-Chinese organizations and they don’t like to integrate into the social circle of the non-Chinese.

When I participate with Americans, I’m uncomfortable because I always face the same situation the Americans talk about funny things, but I don’t understand or I don’t think it is very funny. Chinese students experience same puzzle. We don’t understand Americans’ interests, so we don’t what to say.

This attitude is wrong. In order to avoid this happening, we need to think about topics of conversation before meeting with Americans. Then practice.

When Chinese students are getting used to living here, we should try to walk outside the inherent circle and make some American friends. Talk with Americans. Play together to increase understanding of the U.S. and improve spoken skills. 

Chinese students need to go outside if they have free time. Walking in the streets to see colorful buildings and shops is a way to understand culture. At the same time, store signs, menus and displays are convenient learning tools.

I remembered when I first went to Wal-Mart with an American and I didn’t have any experience buying things in the U.S. In China, if we use a credit card, we need to input the password. However, in the U.S. you just sign your name. At that time, I could not communicate with Americans. Luckily, the staff understood what I meant and helped me.

Similarly, when Chinese students buy something and don’t understand the conversation, we can watch other people buy and then, imitate the dialogue. We can learn the local people's speech habits and soon, our skills will improve.

The confused period in the U.S. is the most painful for Chinese students. If we leave our out inherent circle of Chinese students, we will be able to adapt to American life and friendship with American students. However, if we can’t leave the inherent circle of Chinese students, we are less able to accept the concept of American.

Min Jiao is a junior majoring in communication. You may e-mail her min.jiao@sckans.edu.