English 806-001
Seminar in Linguistics
Instr: Patricia Mayes
Office: CRT 486, 229-6992
e-mail: mayes@uwm.edu
Office hours: by appointment.
Course Information: R 4:30-7:10, CRT 468
Course Description
The issues surrounding teaching English composition to non-native speakers are becoming central in university writing programs, as the student population becomes increasingly diverse. Some of the important questions are the following: How does the writing process differ for native speaking students and those who are composing in a second (or third) language? What is the relationship between second language acquisition and the development of literacy? Why do some non-native speakers do well in composition courses designed for native speakers while others flounder? How can we as teachers best help our second language students achieve the academic literacy that is necessary for survival in the university system? These are some of the questions we will be discussing in this course.
Our goals will be to gain a basic understanding of non-native composing processes and to examine practical strategies for helping students learn to write in a second language. We will work towards these goals by discussing current literature, doing assignments geared towards teaching ESL students, observing and interacting with experienced ESL composition teachers, and working with ESL students.
