This
week readings have me thinking a lot about the programs that exist and the
challenges faced by student from other countries that native language is not
English. Coming to the United States for an education where English is the language
of choice, already put a damper on the individual’s outlook on a good
experience verses a challenge to excel at what they like and want to do.
Writing
centers have a unique challenge and this challenge seem to effect students
grade as well as some student’s self-esteem. As we get more involved in methods
to better address student’s needs, we will start to excel at being better tutor
and teachers for all. Shenandoah University decided to change their approach to
working with students in the writing center due to the frustration of the
student not fully learning the concepts and the tutor not fully getting the satisfaction
of helping a student reach their goal. The focus was changed to have the
session “the Idea Check procedure put in place. This procedure requires all ESL
students make visiting the writing center a part of the process to writing
papers for classes. This process would make the student feel comfortable in the
environment as well as get good habits for writing. Ideas would be formulated
to the structure of what would make a good or structured paper or writing
assignment. The outline of what is trying to be accomplished would be the
primary focus followed by a first draft of the paper that have the ideas
transformed. This method proved to be effective and mostly produced ESL
students with a full grade difference on an assignment they would have received
a lower grade without this guidance.
I
strongly agree that we have a problem with the assistance provided to student
is the learning centers in regards to ESL and ELL students. Building a
relationship with the student as well as helping them get the needed skills to succeed
is fulfilling two fold. Inventing and
correcting not at the same time to produce better growth gets the results
needed and propels the student to feel comfortable and want to excel. It is I
am sure an emotional challenge as well as an educational translation challenge.
Working together with student
on long term papers and projects measures the improvement over a period of time
and deepens the level of understanding and the acceleration of learning. As the population of ESL and ELL students
increase, it is very important to have the tutors and teachers focus on the growth
of the student mentally (for confidence) and educationally, so they receive the
level of education that they are looking for.
Lastly, bridging the gap
between learning and relationship is important. Confidence builds learning,
Learning builds confidence. The relationship between the tutor and the student
builds trust. The student will believe in themselves and the methods they are
learning to better themselves. The tutors will get meaningful tools and build a
strong list of best practices for helping student to become not just better
people, but better writers.
I agree that it is beneficial to build relationships with ESL students. In the Come Again paper, the author spoke about how her tutee started to open up to her and etc. I think this is definetly something to consider.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the idea of writing consultants working with the same ESL students over a period of time, since I believe it is very beneficial to both the tutor and the student. Over the course of time, I think the conversation becomes easier, safer, for the student to have, as I can only imagine how difficult it is to put yourself out there to a myriad of people who are completely foreign to you. I think by establishing one or two significant relationships with writing coaches, the ESL student will be at ease to speak more freely, and they can foster that collaborative air a lot better. Additionally, the coach will get to understand the student, their way of thinking, their quirks, in order to better assist them and create a teaching style that best suits the individual.
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