Exploring Chinese international students' learning-related language practices at an Australian university: Opportunities and constraints

Chinese international students in higher education in English-speaking countries have opportunities to employ different linguistic resources associated with the named languages – English and Chinese. However, the use of Chinese is often perceived by different stakeholders as an obstacle to learning. This study focused on Chinese international students’ learning-related language practices in an Australian university and the reasons behind their linguistic choices. Through document analysis, interviews and observations, the study found that Chinese students used their extended linguistic repertoire to different degrees and for different purposes. Influential contextual factors included students’ beliefs about language and learning and also institutional affordances.