James Webber (SayWhat) on how educators can empower international students
On 19 November 2024, CULCOM hosted a talk by James Webber from SayWhat entitled ‘How Educators Can Empower International Students’. When we consider communication in intercultural settings, we typically focus on what learners of English can do to communicate better, and less so on what L1 speakers of English can do. In his talk, James focused on the actions that L1 speakers can take. The talk presented evidence on the link between language and student mental health; raised awareness about the language levels that educators can expect from international university students; and importantly, concluded with tips and resources which can help educators better communicate with (international) students.
James is Director of Online Learning at SayWhat – a company which helps L1 English speakers improve the way in which they communicate with learners of English. James has extensive experience working with educators at Anglophone universities to overcome challenges in and improve communication with international students and hosts the podcast Communication Matters.
Oksana Torubara (Associate Professor, Taras Shevchenko National University) on the Englishisation of higher education
On 10 March 2025, CULCOM hosted a talk by Oksana Torubara entitled ‘Englishisation of Higher Education around the World: The Case of Ukraine’. The rise of universities teaching in English, in addition to a local language, has become a global phenomenon. To some the use of the English language in higher education is a symbol of modernisation and internationalisation; others see it as an economic opportunity to attract international students; for still others it may represent a threat to the reproduction of knowledge in local languages. In her talk Oksana shared the meanings that Ukrainian university teachers ascribe to the Englishisation of the higher education sector – drawing on surveys with Ukrainian academics. In addition to the many benefits of Englishisation, Oksana highlighted the challenges reported by survey participants (e.g., related to English for publication purposes) and concluded with policy recommendations.
Oksana is a Visiting Scholar at the Department of Linguistics & English Language at Lancaster University and an Associate Professor at the Foreign Languages Department of Taras Shevchenko National University “Chernihiv Collegium”.