Hi Ingrid,
It is true that international students prefer communicating via email to quick phone consultations. Modest English level might impede effective communication. Hence, if response is made ASAP, email could be the most optimal option.

Best,
Megan.

Thanks, Ingrid, for making this excellent connection to the reading!

Thanks, Ingrid! And “it” is in a different spot in every online system we use … I can’t even begin to think how much life-time I have wasted learning to use and then using the dozens of different content management systems for different aspects of my work …

Thanks, Megan, for confirming the usefulness of phone consultations! I’m learning a lot from this exchange. Do you think quick phone consultations with the teacher would be as useful in a second language context? I’m thinking that language learners are often more confident communicating in writing, and so email might still be the preferred option of international students?

Good point, Megan! Advice from people who’ve had the same experience (more advanced international students, established migrants, etc.) is often more useful that (undoubtedly well-intentioned) generic advice …

Thanks Ingrid for picking up on this issue. Another comment (from personal experience!) is that good instructions, and good webpage design, may sometimes still not prevent this kind of problem from occurring. Students are under pressure to read tens of thousands of words in academic texts, all in strict left-to right, top-to-bottom progression down the page. It develops a habitual approach to text which, especially when under stress, may persist when the web page design requires scanning the whole area then locating small blocks placed away from the centre.

The “Ah, there it is, looking at me the whole time!” moment.

Hi Zoe,
I agree that many teachers in Vietnam are willing to accept phone calls from their students and this is really helpful when students are in urgent need. In retrospect, I used to directly call one of my teachers to ask for academic advice since the student center could not provide detailed explantion for specific units, only the teacher was aware of what the unit would be all about. I think this could be a great alternative source of consultancy.

Hi Ingrid,
Thanks for your questions.
Teachers in Vietnam usually gave students their personal phone numbers at the beginning of each course. They suggested that students could call them anytime if we have any issues (e.g., asking for a day off due to the student’s sickness or personal problems or checking the contents/time of upcoming tests, etc.). If the teachers are busy, the students can leave a message and they will contact us later.
One of my friends is a primary teacher in Vietnam. She told me that she received at least two phone calls as well as a number of text messages from her students’ parents to ask her about their children’s learning process although she finished her work and came home.
Only when it comes to professional contexts, emails are used as a means of communication. For instance, I only use emails to exchange information relating to my thesis with my supervisor. I think the habit of making a phone call might be a typical feature in Vietnam since the Vietnamese consider it as a quick and effective way to contact people.

Thanks, Zoe! Your comment was quite an eye-opener to me. I’d love to hear more about students calling teachers in Vietnam. How does that work? Are there set “phone hours” (like “office hours”)? How do teachers manage the workload?