bilingual consultations

["Pool, Bridget R." <bpool@nv.cc.va.us>]

Greetings-
I have a question for you folks.  What has been your experience with tutors
who speak the native language of the ESL student they are assisting?  Is it
beneficial or harmful for them to carry on a bilingual writing consulation?
I am currently eavesdropping (to the best of my linguistic ability) on an
appointment that is being conducted half in Farsi and half in English, and I
wonder whether the student is able to derive as much as she can from the
consultation if she is not being pushed to use English.
-Bridget 

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Bridget Robin Pool
Writing Center Coordinator
Northern Virginia Community College/Loudoun Campus
703.450.2511