Thanks to both Wendy-s for the information about programming for ESL
students at SFU and St. Francis Xavier. We have a new first year program
(Liberal Studies 1) that sounds similar to the Academic Literacy program
at SFU. But we also have our old first year curriculum of an English
class plus a couple Visual Culture/Art History classes running in
parallel. We're struggling to support non-native speakers in both
programs.
Rebecca
-----Original Message-----
From: CASLL/Inkshed [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Wendy
Kraglund-Gauthi
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2005 8:03 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: For Rebecca
Importance: High
Hi Rebecca
I had my Writing Centre Coordinator draft a answer to your email. Her
response is below:
Wendy
Rebecca,
Although St. Francis Xavier University courses encourage all professors
to incorporate writing into their courses, the university does not offer
composition classes as such. The Writing Centre developed a series of
programs partly to fill this gap; in some ways our programs address your
questions. Learning English for Academic Purposes (LEAP) is designed
for students whose first language is not English. Although the students
enrolled in LEAP tend to be international, any student can register for
LEAP's fee-for-service programs.
We developed four versions of this program, three of which have been in
effect for several years now: the four-week intensive program in August
(LEAP 1) is for students who want to improve their academic English
skills for a better start to their learning experience in an
English-only academic environment; LEAP 2 (fall term) and LEAP 3 (winter
term) offer students 12 lectures on topics specific to international
students' academic needs and one-to-one support throughout the term.
Writing is a significant component of all the programs. Although
academic advising is not our main responsibility, the information is
crucial for the students, especially during LEAP 1. We often have a
better sense of the students' abilities to handle a full or reduced
course load, and we can offer suggestions on course requirements and
degree regulations.
Students who have taken LEAP usually keep in contact with their
instructors and often are regular users of the Writing Centre. They
remind us how invaluable the LEAP classes and the one-to-one
appointments were for them. The personalized support allows student and
instructor to focus on individual problems such as grammar or
plagiarism.
Sadly, many international students do not take advantage of LEAP and,
without some additional support, they struggle throughout the year.
Nancy
Nancy Marenick
Coordinator
The Writing Centre
Immaculata Hall
St. Francis Xavier University
Direct line: 902-867-3897
Office: 902-867-5221
Fax: 902-867-5380
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To leave the list, send a SIGNOFF CASLL command to
[log in to unmask] or, if you experience difficulties,
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For the list archives and information about the organization,
its newsletter, and the annual conference, go to
http://www.stu.ca/inkshed/
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