Initial ideas on a handbook for students at the Faculty of English - Hanoi University of Education

This study was carried out to identify the needs the students regarding their study at the university and to provide a source of information they’d find helpful in their study process in the form of a student handbook.
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Initial ideas on a handbook for students at the Faculty of English - Hanoi University of Education JOURNAL OF SCIENCE OF HNUE 2013, Vol. 58, No. 6B, pp. 27-32 This paper is available online at http://stdb.hnue.edu.vn INITIAL IDEAS ON A HANDBOOK FOR STUDENTS AT THE FACULTY OF ENGLISH – HANOI UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION Nguyen Thi Hoang My and Nguyen Thi Minh Thanh Faculty of English, Hanoi National University of Education Abstract. When students begin to study at the university level they quickly discover that the teaching and learning methods at the tertiary level are different from those at high schools. Therefore, they need orientation as well as guidance in order to get in step with the new environment. Mindful of the needs of new students of the Faculty of English, Hanoi National University of Education, this study was carried out to identify the needs the students regarding their study at the university and to provide a source of information they’d find helpful in their study process in the form of a student handbook. Surveys were presented to 135 freshmen & sophomores in order to ascertain what study skills they felt were necessary as well as what information they’d like to see included in a student handbook. Based on the results of this survey, an initial handbook was designed which covers five academic issues. Keywords: Faculty of English, Hanoi National University of Education, handbook.1. Introduction Diana L.V.Berkhom (2009) wrote that few university students received any advicefrom lecturers, tutors or counselors on what they could expect when making the transitionfrom high school to university study. Students had learned how to cope with their previousacademic environment and had adopted skills appropriate to the setting. However, tosucceed at the university level, new tactics are needed. HNUE issues a free handbook to each freshman at the beginning of the year andthe information provided is quite useful. However, when it comes to classroom study,students oftentimes feel disoriented and do not quickly discover a suitable study strategyto improve their performance. Feeling that it would be useful for newcomers at Faculty ofEnglish to have a handbook that was designed especially for them, the authors conductedthis research in order to help them get back on track.Received July 21, 2013. Accepted September 15, 2013.Contact Nguyễn Thị Hoàng My and Nguyễn Thị Minh Thanh, e-mail address: my-nguyen3011@yahoo.com/ minhthanhak9@gmail.com 27 Nguyen Thi Hoang My and Nguyen Thi Minh Thanh2. Content2.1. Theoretical background2.1.1. What is a handbook? Wikipedia defines the term ‘handbook’ as ‘a type of reference work, or othercollection of instructions that is intended to provide ready reference’. Handbooks maydeal with one or several topics at a time, and they should be easy to consult and provideready answers. Also, handbooks are a kind of book that provides specific insights andinstructions on a specific field or subject. There are many definitions of ‘handbook’ butthey all agree that a handbook should be portable and concise.2.1.2. What is a student handbook? A ‘student handbook’ can be understood to mean a small book which includesup-to-date information about study and life at the university that is of practical use tostudents.2.1.3. Use of Handbook Due to the simplistic nature of a student handbook, its not difficult to see how itshould function. - First, a student handbook should provide students with information they need andwould like to find quickly. - Second, a student handbook should be a ready reference tool that students canrefer to when they have a question about something at the university. - Third, a student handbook should contain advice and suggestions related to studyand social life.2.1.4. Aspects covered in a student handbook As stated, a student handbook is the place where students can find instructions,information and answers to their questions. A student handbook should therefore covera multitude of topics, all of which are closely related to students’ needs. These are asfollows: - General information of the department (history, location, staff members),major courses (credit system, name of the course/class) and extra-curricular activities(department/faculty clubs, periodic activities) - Achieving academic success (Study skills, goal setting, group-work strategies,time management) - Socializing (getting to know people, living in a diverse social setting) - Aiming for lifelong success (vision, critical thinking, values)28Initial ideas on a handbook for students at the Faculty of English - Hanoi University of Education2.2. The study2.2.1. Aims Because it is felt that a handbook would be of great benefit to the students of theFaculty of English, Hanoi National University of Education, this study, was carried outto investigate the needs of students during their studies at the university and to makeavailable a source of information in the form of a student handbook that would be helpfulto the students in their study process.2.2.2. Participants Participating in this study were 135 freshmen & sophomores. They have beenstudying at university for less than one or two years, which means that they may stillbe adapting to the university environment. It’s thought that a student handbook would beof more useful to underclassmen than upperclassmen.2.2.3. Scope Due to the limited scope of this initial research paper and due to time constraints,the authors were unable cover every aspect of university student life and their activities ...