Statement of the Problem: A Question of Interpretation

A. Definition: The case is about the misunderstanding between an English teacher, Ms Kramer, and a Chinese international student, Mei Chang.
B. Analysis: Mei Chang is an international student from mainland China. Her English is not at enough level for her to speak with confidence, and sometimes she doesn’t understand what other people are saying. When Mei is taking an advanced English course for non-native students which is a requirement for her graduation, she has problem with participating in the class discussions and writing her essays. After midterm exam, Ms. Kramer announced to meet all students to give them a written and an oral evaluation including Mei. She was nervous and considering skipping class at first, but finally she decided to go. At the meeting, Ms. Kramer told Mei her midterm exam was a C- as well as her midterm average and she asked Mei to work harder in order to pass. However, though Mei’s interpretation of the word, she thought her teacher didn’t decide to let her pass and, therefore, she lost her motivation. Consequently, she became quite irregular in the second half of the semester and rarely completed her writing and reading assignments.
2. Suggestion of Possible Solutions
A. Solution 1: Ms. Kramer can go and talk to Mei personally and physically about her questions in the class and homework.
B. Solution 2: Ms. Kramer should go and talk to school about the problem on Mei and ask them to help Mei.
C. Solution 3: Ms. Kramer can ask a peer of Mei to talk with her in the class and after class.
3. Evaluation of Possible Solutions
A. Solution 1
1. Advantages: Talking personally and physically will help Mei understand what the teacher said more clearly. Moreover, talking personally and physically will lead Mei to think that her teacher is still paying attention to her and try to help her. As a result, Mei will feel her teacher is helpful and easygoing rather than making her feel uncomfortable and annoyed
2. Disadvantages: Talking personally and physically is time-consuming and sometimes, if the teacher doesn’t work well on his or her word, it will cause more trouble on misunderstanding.
B. Solution 2
1. Advantages: Asking school to solve this problem will save teacher’s and avoid unnecessary misunderstanding between each other. Furthermore, the university has more resources and experience to solve this situation.
2. Disadvantages: It may take the university such a long time to respond to the problem.
C. Solution 3
1. Advantages: Asking a student to talk with Mei in the class discussion and after class is easy and quick. It can somewhat force Mei to talk and practice her English. Also, it can offer Mei an extra resource to ask for help.
2. Advantages: Since Mei may not have enough confidence to talk with her peer, the conversation between them may awkward and embarrassed. If the peer doesn’t have patience and conscious on culture shocks, it may cause further problem.
4. Selection of a Solution
A. Choice: Ms. Kramer should go and talk to school about the problem on Mei and ask them to help Mei.
B. Justification: Although this solution will cost time, it will be better because it will not lead to further annoying to Mei and other misunderstanding unlike the other two solutions.