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An Analysis of Stress and Sense of Belonging Among Native and Non-native English Speakers Learning Computer Science

Authors:

Vardhan Agarwal,

Yada Chuengsatiansup,

Adalbert Gerald Soosai RajAuthors Info & Claims

SIGCSE 2022: Proceedings of the 53rd ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education - Volume 1

Pages 376 - 382

https://doi.org/10.1145/3478431.3499375

Published: 22 February 2022 Publication History

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that non-native English speakers (NNES) have lower confidence levels at the beginning of the term and higher academic expectations for themselves throughout the term. Additionally, although non-native English speakers study for longer hours compared to native English speakers (NES), there were not any differences in their grades. To better understand the experiences of NNES learning Computer Science in a U.S university, we examined possible factors that may contribute to differences in stress and sense of belonging between NES and NNES. From our investigation using weekly surveys, we did not find any significant difference in the stress level reported by NES and NNES. However, we found differences in the factors that contribute to the stress level of NES and NNES. Factors such as 'personal life' and 'requirements for other classes' were major factors that contributed towards the stress level of NES, whereas 'embarrassment asking for help' and 'self doubt' were more common among NNES. As for sense of belonging, we found no significant difference between NES and NNES. Additionally, we found that the number of classmates that NES feel comfortable reaching out to is not a factor affecting their sense of belonging in an introductory computer science class. \endabstract

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Cited By

Tshukudu EDodoo EHermans FMudongo M(2024)Bilingual Programming: A Study of Student Attitudes and Experiences in the African contextProceedings of the 24th Koli Calling International Conference on Computing Education Research10.1145/3699538.3699561(1-11)Online publication date: 12-Nov-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3699538.3699561
Sthapit SThomas MBrock JBarnes TPearson TStrickland CIsrael M(2024)Cracking the Cultural Code: Understanding the Cultural Barriers for International CS Students in the USProceedings of the 2024 on RESPECT Annual Conference10.1145/3653666.3656078(293-301)Online publication date: 16-May-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3653666.3656078
Shah AAgarwal VGriswold WPorter LSoosai Raj AMonga MLonati VBarendsen ESheard JPaterson J(2024)In-Person vs Blended Learning: An Examination of Grades, Attendance, Peer Support, Competitiveness, and BelongingProceedings of the 2024 on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education V. 110.1145/3649217.3653604(422-428)Online publication date: 3-Jul-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3649217.3653604
Show More Cited By

Index Terms

An Analysis of Stress and Sense of Belonging Among Native and Non-native English Speakers Learning Computer Science
1. Social and professional topics
  1. Professional topics
    1. Computing education
      1. Computing education programs
        Computer science education

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cover image ACM Conferences

SIGCSE 2022: Proceedings of the 53rd ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education - Volume 1

February 2022

1049 pages

ISBN:9781450390705

DOI:10.1145/3478431

General Chairs:
Larry Merkle
Air Force Institute of Technology, USA
,
Maureen Doyle
Northern Kentucky University, USA
,
Program Chairs:
Judithe Sheard
Monash University, Australia
,
Leen-Kiat Soh
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA
,
Brian Dorn
University of Nebraska at Omaha, USA

Copyright © 2022 Owner/Author.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License.

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Published: 22 February 2022

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Cited By

Tshukudu EDodoo EHermans FMudongo M(2024)Bilingual Programming: A Study of Student Attitudes and Experiences in the African contextProceedings of the 24th Koli Calling International Conference on Computing Education Research10.1145/3699538.3699561(1-11)Online publication date: 12-Nov-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3699538.3699561
Sthapit SThomas MBrock JBarnes TPearson TStrickland CIsrael M(2024)Cracking the Cultural Code: Understanding the Cultural Barriers for International CS Students in the USProceedings of the 2024 on RESPECT Annual Conference10.1145/3653666.3656078(293-301)Online publication date: 16-May-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3653666.3656078
Shah AAgarwal VGriswold WPorter LSoosai Raj AMonga MLonati VBarendsen ESheard JPaterson J(2024)In-Person vs Blended Learning: An Examination of Grades, Attendance, Peer Support, Competitiveness, and BelongingProceedings of the 2024 on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education V. 110.1145/3649217.3653604(422-428)Online publication date: 3-Jul-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3649217.3653604
Jordan MLy KSoosai Raj AStephenson BStone JBattestilli LRebelsky SShoop L(2024)Need a Programming Exercise Generated in Your Native Language? ChatGPT's Got Your Back: Automatic Generation of Non-English Programming Exercises Using OpenAI GPT-3.5Proceedings of the 55th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education V. 110.1145/3626252.3630897(618-624)Online publication date: 7-Mar-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3626252.3630897
Alaofi SRussell SChoppella VPhatak DLuxton-Reilly ACraig M(2023)The Use of English Language to Teach CS1 to Non-Native English Speakers: Students PerspectiveProceedings of the ACM Conference on Global Computing Education Vol 110.1145/3576882.3617931(15-21)Online publication date: 5-Dec-2023
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3576882.3617931

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