Researching International PhD Algerian Students’ Communication Challenges in Speaking When Discussing and Interacting with Their British Peers: A Researcher’s Interpretive Perspective through the Use of Semi-Structured Interview

Authors: H. Maita

Abstract:

This paper addresses the issue of the speaking challenges that the Algerian PhD students experience during their studies abroad, particularly in UK territory; more specifically, this study describes how these students may deal with such challenges and whether the cultural differences is one core reason in such dilemma or not. To this end, an understanding and interpretation of what actually encompasses both linguistic interference and cultural differences are required. Throughout the paper there is an attempt to explain the theoretical basis of the interpretive research and to theoretically discuss the pivotal use of the interview, as a data collection tool, in interpretive research. Thus, the central issue of this study is to frame the theoretical perspective of the interpretive research through the discussion of PhD Algerian’s communication and interaction challenges in the EFL context. This study is a corner stone for other research studies to further investigate the issue related to communication challenges because no specific findings will be pointed out in this research.

Keywords: EFL, communication, interaction, interpretive research.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3462087

References:

[1] Forest, J. F. J., & Altbach, G. P. (Eds.). (2007). International handbook of higher education, Part One: Global themes and contemporary challenges. Netherlands: Springer.
[2] Sebda, N. (2012). The use of oral/ written business English communication skills by non-native speakers of English in Algeria (Master’s dissertation, University of Oran, Algeria) Retrieved from http://theses.univ-oran1.dz/document/TH3666.pdf.
[3] Gass, M. S., & Ney, J. (Eds.). (1996). Speech acts across cultures: Challenges to communication in a second language. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter.
[4] Abdaoui, M. (2010). Teaching lexical collocations to raise proficiency in foreign language writing. (Master’s Thesis, Mentouri University, Constantine, Algeria). Retrieved from http://bu.umc.edu.dz/theses/anglais/ABD1089.pdf.
[5] Son, J. B., & Park, S. S. (2014). Academic experiences of international PhD students in Australian higher education: From an EAP program to a PhD program. International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning, 9(1), pp. 26–37.
[6] Kurylo, A. (Ed.). (2013). Inter/Cultural communication: Representation and construction of culture. USA: SAGE Publications, Inc.
[7] Zulkurnain, N., & Kaur, S. (2014). Oral English communication difficulties and coping strategies of diploma of hotel management students at UiTM. 3L. The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies, 20(3), pp. 93–112.
[8] Majhanovich, S., & Geo-JaJa, A. M. (2013). Economics, aid and education: implications for development. Netherlands: Sense Publishers.
[9] Schwartz-Shea, P., & Yanow, D. (2012). Interpretive research design: Concepts and processes. New York: Routledge.
[10] Lederman, G. N., & Abell, K., S. (Eds.). (2014). Handbook of research on science education, (Volume 2). New York: Routledge.
[11] Willis, J. W., & Jost, M. (2007). Foundations of qualitative research: Interpretive and critical approaches. USA: Sage Publications, Inc.
[12] Morehouse, E. R. (2012). Beginning interpretative inquiry: A step-by-step approach to research and evaluation. Abingdon: Routledge.
[13] Roux, R., Vasquez, M. A., & Guzman, T. P. N. (Eds.). (2012). Research in English language teaching: Mexican perspectives. USA: Palibrio.
[14] Willig, C. (2013). Introducing qualitative research in psychology (3rd ed.). England: Open University Press.
[15] Ritchie, J., Lewis, J., Nicholls, M. C., & Ormston, R. (Eds.). (2014). Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
[16] Rubin, A., & Babbie, E. R. (2016). Empowerment series: Research methods for social work (9th ed.). USA: Cengage Learning.
[17] Tran, A. T. (2016). Developing disaster resilient housing in Vietnam: Challenges and solutions. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.
[18] Creswell, W. J. (2014). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publications, Inc.
[19] Gary, T. (2013). How to do your research project: a guide for students in education and applied social sciences (2nd ed.). Los Angeles, Calif: SAGE publications.
[20] Jonker, J., & Pennink, B. (2010). The essence of research methodology: A concise guide for master and PhD students in management science. Germany: Springer.
[21] Gibbs, R. G. (2007). Analysing qualitative data. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
[22] Prus, R. (1996). Symbolic interaction and ethnographic research: Intersubjectivity and the study of human lived experience. USA: State University of New York Press.
[23] Magnusson, E., & Marecek, J. (2015). Doing interview-based qualitative research: A learner’s guide. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
[24] Currie, D. (2005). Developing and applying study skills: Writing assignments, dissertations and management report. London: CIPD Publishing.
[25] Cargan, L. (2007). Doing social research. USA: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
[26] Walsh, M., & Wigens, L. (2003). Introduction to research: Foundations in nursing and health care. UK: Nelson Thornes Ltd.
[27] Miles, J., & Gilbert, P. (Eds.). (2005). A handbook of research methods for clinical and health psychology. New York: Oxford University Press.
[28] Nunan, D. (1992). Research methods in language learning. New York: Cambridge University Press.
[29] Gough, B., & Finlay, L. (Eds.). (2003). Reflexivity: A practical guide for researchers in health and social sciences. UK: Blackwell Science Ltd.
[30] Klenke, K. (2016). Qualitative research in the study of leadership (2nd ed.). UK: Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
[31] Fenton, E. N., & Baxter, J. (Eds.). (2016). Practicing qualitative methods in health geographies. London & New York: Routledge.
[32] Colwell, R., & Richardson, C. (Eds.). (2002). The new handbook of research on music teaching and learning: A project of the music educators national conference. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc.
[33] Chan, K. G. (2010). Interpretive phenomenology in health care research. Indianapolis, IN: Sigma Theta Tau International.
[34] Wagenaar, H. (2015). Meaning in action: Interpretation and dialogue in policy analysis. New York: Routledge.
[35] Poluha, E. (Ed.). (2007). The world of girls and boys in rural and urban Ethiopia. Addis Abeba: Forum for Social Studies.