Editing students' assignments line by line is not helpful to either student or tutor. Sure the student's essay is "fixed" but they learn nothing through the process.
Cynthia Linville's article addresses a topic about which many are conflicted. I know that I sometimes choose to edit student essays but only if that student is an ESL student. Why do I decide to edit the essays of ESLs and not native speakers? Because I expect the native English speaker to be able to edit his or her own work before seeking assistance with other areas. Perhaps I am wrong to hold different expectations of the students that I see but that is how I approach my job.
In working with ESL students I revise the entire assignment, if possible, and then discuss my comments. I also question students and have them clarify vague points then we work on restructuring sentences. I have discovered improvements in the writing of the ESL students who I see so I realize that some students benefit from the process.
Cynthia Linville's article addresses a topic about which many are conflicted. I know that I sometimes choose to edit student essays but only if that student is an ESL student. Why do I decide to edit the essays of ESLs and not native speakers? Because I expect the native English speaker to be able to edit his or her own work before seeking assistance with other areas. Perhaps I am wrong to hold different expectations of the students that I see but that is how I approach my job.
In working with ESL students I revise the entire assignment, if possible, and then discuss my comments. I also question students and have them clarify vague points then we work on restructuring sentences. I have discovered improvements in the writing of the ESL students who I see so I realize that some students benefit from the process.
No comments:
Post a Comment