oral communication and writing centers

[Rob Russell <rrussell@vic.edu>]

Following up a recommendation by the visiting team of our accrediting
organizations (SACS), our college is working on ways that we can show
that our students have acheived competency in written and oral
communication.  While we have developed a tentative policy regarding
writing competency (a program that will become a very small part of what
our writing center does), we're still discussing ways to help those
students who feel to meet the qualifications for competency in oral
communication.

I know that some of you work in WC's that claim oral communication as
part of your domain, so I was hoping that you wouldn't mind fielding a
few questions from me.  If you so choose to respond, I appreciate your
time.  Here are a few of our current (very broad) questions, but I'm
sure there're more we haven't considered.

What sort of activities do you use with students in a tutorial setting
to help them acheive competency?

What kind of tutors do you use (peers, graduate students), who trains
them, and how?

How is competency in oral communication evaluated at your
school/college/university?  By what point in their college careers do
your students have to reach competency?

Are your policies regarding competency different for ESL students?  For
adult students?  For ld or disabled students?

Thanks again for your time.  Please reply off-list, unless you would
like to share all of your info (that's cool with me).

Rob Russell
Virginia Intermont College
rrussell@vic.edu