Exploring Sino- Foreign EAP Teachers’ Challenges

Difficulties faced by EAP teachers at Sino- Foreign tertiary programs tend to be numerous, varied, intertwined, and underexplored. Surveys featuring closed and open- ended items completed by 109 lecturers and 529 students from 28 universities in China inquired into EAP challenges and suggestions for tutors. The main challenges for instructors were related to cultural aspects along with making lessons interesting and engaging. Interviews with 10 instructors and 10 learners further explored these hurdles and sought recommendations to help tutors overcome them. Suggestions included strengthening rapport with students to foster a better classroom environment, familiarizing oneself with the culture, language, needs, and interests of students, and adapting one’s teaching to make lessons more active and personalized instead of just lecturing.