RE: bilingual consultations

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

Karen-
Yes.  One simple Farsi question doesn't strike me as problematic at all, but
entire consultations conducted in Farsi about papers written in English
seems as though it could be detrimental to the student in the long run.
-Bridget

-----Original Message-----
From: karen stewart [mailto:stewartk@beloit.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 1997 7:36 AM
To: wcenter@ttacs6.ttu.edu
Subject: Re: bilingual consultations


In my experience it is very useful for ESL students to have the comfort and
clarity of their fist language in writing consultations.  I understand your
concerns about not being "pushed to use English," but remember that these
students are receiving tons of information in this second language and it
is midterm and they are tired and sometimes need to ask a question for
which they have no words.  One simple Farsi question could explain hours of
imprecise English queries.

I would be more concerned if the same ESL student and peer tutor worked
together exclusively.  Is that a possibility here?

Karen Stewart
The Writing Program
Beloit College

At 02:10 PM 10/7/98 -0400, you wrote:
>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 
>
>***********************************************************
>Bridget Robin Pool
>Writing Center Coordinator
>Northern Virginia Community College/Loudoun Campus
>703.450.2511
>
>
>