Peer Tutoring for Multilingual Writers

Catalog description

This class provides theoretical and practical training to prepare Writing Center Peer Tutors with specific expertise in tutoring international/multilingual students. This course provides a theoretically-grounded introduction to the principles and practices of peer tutoring with multilingual writers (writers for whom English is not a first language). It is designed specifically for undergraduate students who wish to be employed as Peer Tutors with Penn State Learning at the Writing Center. Like ENGL 250 , the class provides a basic orientation to the techniques of being an effective writing tutor, but offers a deeper understanding of the issues faced by writers whose first language is not English. The class may be of particular interest to students who study languages or education, who plan to work in academia, or who have a strong interest in cross-cultural communication or international education. However, undergraduate students of any major and of any language background are welcome to enroll in this course. Drawing upon research in second language acquisition, instructional theory, and composition pedagogy, the class examines the central roles of identity, belief, and cultural perspective in the development of tutoring expertise. Exploring the student's own development as a writer and learner, engaging in practical training activities, writing intensively, talking about writing, and engaging in reflective exercises comprise the first set of topics in the semester. In the second unit, through readings, interaction, observation and discussion, each tutor-in-training will explore the cultural and linguistic factors in the development and maintenance of second-language writing proficiency for international students in an American university context. There is a strong focus as well on tutoring pedagogy, and the class includes a 10-week structured practicum experience during which each student will tutor an ESL student from a first-year writing class ( ESL 15 ). Students who want to work as Peer Tutors must have completed their own first-year writing requirement; it is recommended that they have completed ENGL 202 also.