In Rebecca Taylor Fremo's "'Unlearning Habits, Customs, And Character': Changing the Ethos Of Our Writing Center," she discusses her efforts to recruit both international and domestic students of color to her writing center (she is the director). Fremo seeks to provide a welcoming ambiance, where ELL or ESL students who may feel marginalized and disconnected from the dominant culture, feel understood. Fremo addresses the importance of understanding the "culturally, racially, or linguistically diverse writers" who may be timid of seeking help. She goes about this by educating her tutors in cultural considerations and by training her staff to empower people of color to find their authentic cultural voice in writing academically. Ideally, the tutoring staff should reflect this diversity as well. It is an interesting article and anyone interested in expanding their understanding of the challenges that ELL/ESL students face should check it out at: https://writinglabnewsletter.org/archives/v34/34.8.pdf
I chose this article because MSU-Denver has a diverse student body. I am also helping to create a local ELL resource website for our students seeking to improve their English and writing skills.
I like the idea of having the tutors mirror the diversity of the student population. I wonder how I could make this work at our WC . . .
ReplyDeleteLiz, maybe you could look to some of the ELL students who come into the center?
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