Analytical and critical thinking skills of overseas postgraduate students in banking-related subjects : insights from the classroom

Traditional university education focuses on an instructor-centered approach that, at its core, facilitates the "teaching" of students. Over recent years, however, an increasing number of instructors and institutions have moved towards a more student- and thus "learning"-centered approach, thereby acknowledging that students are at the heart of education. The topic of learning is complex if we consider factors such as individual learning styles, cultural and personal influences and experiences, and student expectations, just to name a few. Although the literature is affluent with teaching- and learning-related articles, in this paper we provide first-hand insights into strategies that allow teaching analytical and critical thinking to overseas postgraduate students in banking-related subjects through the integration of cultural educational experiences as well as individual learning styles.