This book shares a narrative inquiry study that explores the voices of Chinese students and unveils how they understand their study of English for Academic Purposes (EAP), as part of their higher education (HE) journey in the UK. The book foregrounds the neo-liberalisation of the university and considers visiting Chinese students in this commodified education space. While challenging common misperceptions of Chinese students that result in the negative labelling and homogenisation of this international student cohort, it links the discussion to aspects of Orientalism applied to East Asian students, reportedly still evident in Western universities today.
For contextualisation purposes and the encouragement of a meaningful understanding of contemporary Chinese students, the book includes an exploration of Chinese Education Reforms. The core argument sees a need for an increasing understanding of contemporary Chinese students in the UK HE academic community in relation to social, historical and cultural considerations, in order to enhance their Western education experience.