Non-native student and supervisor expectations during the process of completing a graduation thesis: A case study

Abstract

The article reports on a case study that investigates challenges related to writing a graduation thesis as reported by non-native students of English in one Bachelor of Arts (BA) and one Master’s (MA) programme in Estonia, comparing the needs outlined by the students to the perception of those described by their non-native supervisors. The study highlights a number of important academic writing process challenges that need to be considered in an inter-disciplinary context. It also echoes the significance of the interpersonal relationship between the student and the supervisor, voiced in respective research literature worldwide. On the institutional level, a need for discussion emerged among graduation paper supervisors for a more unified understanding of the requirements set for graduation papers. The information obtained allows a more informed approach to the process of supervision on the one hand and academic writing instruction on the other hand.  **** Juhendaja ja uliopilase ootused ingliskeelse loputoo kirjutamise protsessis: juhtumiuuring Artikkel kajastab uurimust, mis vordles inglise keeles loputood kirjutavate uliopilaste ja neid voorkeeles juhendavate oppejoudude poolt valjatoodud probleeme uhes bakalaureuse ja uhes magistriprogrammis Eesti kontekstis, keskendudes uliopilaste valjendatud vajadustele ja vorreldes neid juhendajapoolse nagemusega uliopilaste akadeemilist kirjutamist puudutavatest vajadustest. Uuringust osa votnud uliopilaste ootused juhendamisele soltusid moningal maaral sellest, millisele tasemele oma akadeemilises karjaaris uliopilane jounud oli. Ilmnenud vajadused jagunesid mitmesse gruppi: otseselt teksti loomisega seotud probleemid, mida akadeemilise kirjutamise opetamise raames on oluline vaadelda interdistsiplinaarsest aspektist; isikuomaduste ja isiksuste vahelise suhtlemisega seotud probleemid; ning institutsionaalne tasand, st asutusesisene hoiak loputoodele esitatavate nouete suhtes.