A comparative study of performance on a college student newspaper: foreign versus American students

This study attempts to make a qualitative comparison between the contributions to a student newspaper made by foreign students and American students as well as make some analytical assessments as to the focus and world view brought to bear on the writings in the student paper. As such their contribution improved the paper qualitatively as well as increased its readership.

Introduction

The research in this article was collected over the years when one of the contributors served on the editorial board of Lander University student newspaper, the Forum while a student. The contributor returned as assistant professor a few years later and assumed the role of advisor to the Forum. This study therefore covers a period exceeding five years. The countries represented by the international student staff members during this period were: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, England, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Scotland, Serbia, Yugoslavia, and Zimbabwe. Lander University is a state institution located in South Carolina with a student body of 3,000. The majority of Lander's student enrollment is drawn from a 5-county area surrounding the institution. During the period under discussion, out of a staff average of 29 students per year, an average of five were foreign students. The foreign students held senior positions in the newspaper, including that of editor on two occasions.

Since 1994, almost all staff members chose to receive academic credit for working for the newspaper. Only a handful of students served as volunteers. As described in the Media 490 newspaper internship syllabus, student staff members were evaluated in two ways as individuals or in-group critique sessions. It was through these critique sessions that students' performance would be rated and scored. The rating and scores used in this article are derived from these assessment tools, using a scale from one to five, with five being the maximum score. It was during the recording of these scores that the quality distinction between International and American newspaper staff members became obvious.

Foreign students held senior positions partly because they showed a mature disposition to journalism. These students regarded journalism as a revered profession while appreciating the dangers the journalist might place himself if he (or she) was responsible for provocative and controversial contributions. The keenness of these foreign students on this score cannot be over-emphasized. While ethical reporting was part of our journalism studies and the rules of libel were explained in class as well as during the weekly newspaper meetings, American students did not have a sense of urgency that foreign students exhibited. Students from Brazil, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, and Zimbabwe knew of close relatives in the journalism field who had fallen foul of censorship laws in their countries with negative results to their lives and freedom. Foreign students also always presented their pieces in a timely fashion, meeting the editorial deadlines without exception during the five years under discussion. Because of their attitude, all the foreign students were promoted to senior positions, either as columnists or as assistant editorial staff. In 2003, of the 28 staff members, five were foreign. These five students were on the columnist or assistant editorial levels.

Our second observation was that their proficiency in grammar was higher than their American counterparts. This contradicts recent studies, which postulate that English grammar proves to be a significant obstacle for international students. "Research studies indicate that the first barrier encountered by international students is language ... Although most international students are able to pass a standardized proficiency examination in English, they have difficulties functioning satisfactorily in an academic setting. (Ranjani, 1998). A separate study found, 'Language difficulties appear to be the most challenging issue for the majority of intellectual students. (Mori, 2000)

Proficiency demonstrated by international students on the Forum staff can be rated as five while that of their American counterparts was rated as three, five being the highest score in a battery of tests. In news writing skills, editorializing, accuracy and balance, foreign students scored a five while American students scored an average of four where five is the maximum score. In consistency of meeting deadlines, foreign students again scored a five while American students scored 2.5 where five is the maximum score.

In congeniality and sense of community relationships within the newspaper organization, foreign students were most helpful, willing to stay well into the night and willing to finish incomplete assignments submitted by colleagues. We found their attitude to authority and respect for their supervisors different from that of their American colleagues as night and day. It was a pleasure to work with foreign students as colleagues. It was even more satisfying when one contributor returned as an assistant professor. They were always deferential, respectful and yet made their suggestions for improvement without rancor.