Effective Communication and Academic Success for International Students
A practical, research-based guide to the spoken, written, and unwritten rules of English-speaking universities, from the first weeks on campus to the classroom, friendships, networking, and the start of a career.
Written for international students and for the faculty and university staff who support them. Available now from Routledge.
Buy the Book → Learn More About the Book Request a Review Copy
What Readers Are Saying
“International students face communication barriers that no English test can prepare them for. I know, because I was one. This book fills that gap with clarity, empathy, and rigorous grounding in research. Drawing on their journeys as both international students and instructors, the authors offer exactly the guidance students need to go from surviving to thriving.”
Mario Macis, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, USA
About the Authors
Meet the Authors
Written by two education researchers who bring complementary expertise in academic literacy, cross-cultural communication, and supporting international students.
Genevive Bjorn, Ed.D.
Founder and Director, Higher Learning Lab
Genevive Bjorn, Ed.D., founded and directs the Higher Learning Lab. A Knight Digital Media Fellow and award-winning science teacher, she is the author of How to Critically Read the Scientific Research Literature: Introducing the CERIC Method (Cambridge University Press, 2026) and co-author of Effective Communication and Academic Success for International Students (Routledge, 2026), and has written more than 50 articles for Nature, Science, The New York Times, and other outlets. She has taught critical reading in 15+ countries and advances equity by helping learners navigate hidden curricula.
Clara Fangfang Ma, Ed.D.
Entrepreneur, Social Scientist, and Educator
Clara Fangfang Ma, Ed.D., is an entrepreneur at Inception Consulting, social scientist, and educator specializing in leadership development, cross‑cultural competency, and student success. With over a decade of experience supporting international students through language, cultural, and communication challenges, she brings firsthand insight as a former international student from China studying in the United States.
Start Here
Resources for Every Part of Campus
International Students
Speak up in class, talk with professors, make friends, and build a professional network with confidence.
Confident on Campus →Faculty and Instructors
Classroom strategies that help international students participate, ask questions, and do their best work.
Teaching resources →University Staff
Practical support for international student offices, writing centers, advisors, and libraries.
Staff resources →Stay in the loop
New guides for faculty, staff, and students
A few emails a semester when a new guide or resource is published. No spam, and you can leave any time.