Non-native speakers of English, both international and immigrant students, often need additional help with reading and writing in English. The departments of Applied Linguistics and English have a variety of options for these students including courses, studios, tutorials, and recommended electronic resources.
Available Courses (4 credits)
For lower division students who need help with writing
- LING 115, Writing for Non-Native Residents Applied Linguistics Department, a course that focuses on language and cultural issues, along with basic help with academic writing. This is the course for students to take if they are struggling with the language; offered at five different levels.
- WR 121 for International Students , English Department, a course for students who could benefit from a quarter of learning the writing process, including how to revise and edit, with special emphasis on practicing the cultural conventions of North American academic writing. Regular sections of WR 121 are also open to anyone.
For upper division students who need help with writing
- WR 323 for International Students , English Department, a course for students who could benefit from a quarter of focusing on advanced issues in writing and critical thinking, with special emphasis on practicing the cultural conventions of North American academic writing. Regular sections of WR 323 are also open to anyone.
- Writing 300, Writing in the Disciplines , English Department, a course for both non-native and native speakers who could benefit from a quarter of considering how to write in their disciplines. Especially useful for non-native speakers planning to attend graduate school.
Available Mini-Courses (2 credits) and Tutorials (1 credit)
For lower and upper division students who need major help with writing, but perhaps less than an entire course, both studios and tutorials are available through the English department.
Mini-Course: WR 199 Grammar Refresher (2)
Brush up your grammar skills. Work on your own nagging problems and learn ways to put grammar all together.
Quarter-Long Writing Center Tutorials
These quarter-long tutorials can also provide students enrolled in Freshman Inquiry with individualized reading and writing instruction. Talk with the Writing Center about openings for WR 199 College Writing Tutorial.
Tutoring Help for Specific Pieces of Writing
For any student who needs help with a specific piece of writing, both the Writing Center and the SETC can meet with students for an individual session. However, if the student is going more than once or twice, he or she needs to sign up for a course or studio through the departments of Applied Linguistics or English.
The Writing Center, 188F Cramer Hall, 725-3570. For any student who needs help such as sorting out particular language usage issues, understanding the academic conventions of particular assignments, or making sense of how plagiarism differs from citing sources, the Writing Center can meet with you for an individual half-hour session. Sign up ahead of time.
Skills Enhancement and Tutoring Center (SETC) 424 Smith Center, 725-4005. For any student doing lower division course work, peer tutors can help with basic writing issues. Drop-in basis. Study skills workshops also available.
Electronic Resources
Plagiarism
Students who are non-native speakers of English often find the North American definitions of plagiarism to be very confusing since they are very different from definitions of plagiarism in other cultures. The following sites may be helpful for them.
Portland State University Conduct Code
What is Academic Dishonesty?
The student Conduct Code, which applies to all students, prohibits all forms of academic cheating, fraud, and dishonesty. These acts include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, buying and selling of course assignments and research papers, performing academic assignments (including testing and examinations) for other persons, unauthorized disclosure and receipt of academic information, and other practices commonly understood to be academically dishonest.
What are the Penalties for Being Academically Dishonest?
Acts of academic dishonesty may result in one or more of the following sanctions: a failing grade on the exam or assignment for which the dishonesty occurred, disciplinary reprimand, disciplinary probation, loss of privileges, required community service, suspension from the University for a period of up to five years, and/or dismissal from the University.
Applied Linguistics and English Contacts
You are welcome to contact any of the following people who can help you in determining where to send a student for help.
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