The Writing Center created these tips to offer concise guidance on inclusive pedagogy with multilingual students in mind.
The Writing Center created these tips to offer concise guidance on inclusive pedagogy with multilingual students in mind.
What has helped you learn how to write or study in a second language? What would have helped you?
Confidence, previous training in alternative modes of writing, multiple linguistic identities, grammar, vocabulary.
Explain the conventions of your discipline. Talk about structure, style, argument, transitions, audience, etc.
Make use of the different kinds of training and linguistic modes of thought your students bring to your classroom
Explain cultural knowledge when necessary. Make room whenever possible for global and diverse perspectives.
Students may have had little experience with certain kinds of assignments, but they can make rapid progress.
Explain conventions and how to relate to sources. Clarify what good work looks like (offer models; use rubrics).
Give assignments and deadlines well in advance to allow students time to prepare and to seek support.
Recognizing that you are an expert on understanding the texts you assign, explain how you interact with them.
Point out essential terms in assigned readings, especially contested ones or ones that translate in interesting ways.
Have conversations about how the language that texts are written in or translated into shapes their meanings.
Offer pre-reading context, questions to answer while reading, and sufficient reading time.
Look for the big picture even when there are unexpected textual features or grammatical problems.
When writing is not structured like an American essay, e.g. thesis at the end, note that this is a difference of convention.
Help students see where their arguments are strong and clear, so they can build from success.
If you see a pattern of error, note it. Do not try to correct or copy-edit more than one or two sample areas.