Janice Lozano
International students often face challenges when it comes to academic writing, especially if English is not their first language. Learning how to write essays and other types of academic assignments is crucial for their success in higher education. Instructors play a significant role in supporting international students' writing development. This includes providing well-considered feedback, being mindful of different learning curves, offering extra resources, and contextualizing feedback on usage and style rather than treating them as fixed rules. Additionally, international students can benefit from understanding essay prompts, practicing different writing techniques, and seeking support from writing centers or advisors. While it can be a challenging journey, international students can improve their business writing skills and succeed in their academic endeavours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Language | English is a difficult language to learn and international students often face challenges expressing themselves in writing. |
| Instructor expectations | Instructors may feel uncomfortable focusing on grammar and mechanics, preferring to focus on ideas. |
| Instructor feedback | Feedback should be well-considered and focus on core learning goals. It should also be generous and prioritize clear communication over perfect grammar. |
| Student expectations | International students should expect to put in extra practice to develop their writing skills. |
| Student resources | Students can seek help from writing centers, writing coaches, and academic advisors. |
| Plagiarism | Students should be made aware of what constitutes plagiarism and the academic code. |
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What You'll Learn
Understanding the basics of business writing
Business writing is a highly valued skill across most industries today. However, it is becoming rarer, with fewer people possessing this skill. Thus, those who can demonstrate good business writing skills will stand out.
International students, especially those who are English language learners, may find academic writing challenging and may need extra practice. It is important to remember that "good" writing can vary significantly depending on the discipline. For example, the use of the active voice is often discouraged in scientific writing to establish objectivity, but this preference is changing among some writers who feel that strict adherence to the passive voice can obscure readability. Understanding the context and the discipline-specific conventions is crucial when writing in a second language.
Instructors can support international students by providing well-considered feedback that focuses on the core learning goals of the course. Patience is essential, as it takes courage and vulnerability for students to write in a second language. While it is important to correct critical errors, it is equally important to pick your battles and protect the student's progress. Normalizing the struggles of the writing process can make it less intimidating for students.
International students can seek support from writing centers on campus, which offer valuable resources and assistance with writing. Additionally, they can familiarize themselves with the specific requirements of the type of writing they are expected to produce. For example, when writing an essay, understanding the essay prompt and breaking it down into smaller questions can help structure the content effectively. Revising and editing are also crucial steps in improving the quality of the final product.
Overall, understanding the basics of business writing involves recognizing the importance of clear and effective communication, adapting to context and discipline-specific conventions, and utilizing the available resources for support and improvement.
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Recognizing the importance of good thinking
International students often face challenges when it comes to writing in a second language, and this is especially true in the context of academic or business writing. The ability to communicate effectively through writing is a highly valued skill across industries, and it can set individuals apart, helping them succeed in internships, jobs, and their future careers.
Instructors play a vital role in supporting international students' writing development. It's important to recognize that writing classes alone may not teach students everything they need to know. Instructors should provide low-stakes and ungraded writing opportunities for practice and encourage students to view writing as a process of learning. Sharing drafts, discussing writer's block, and pulling back the curtain on the writing process can help normalize the struggles and challenges of writing. This approach can foster academic resilience and reduce anxiety, which is often a central concern for international students.
Additionally, it's essential to provide constructive feedback that focuses on the student's ideas and core learning goals rather than nit-picking every grammatical error or typo. While it's important to maintain clear and consistent communication standards, instructors should be mindful of the unique challenges faced by multilingual writers. Recognizing a student's effort and providing targeted feedback that addresses critical errors can help strike a balance. Encouraging students to seek additional support from writing centers or tutors can further reinforce their writing skills and good thinking strategies.
International students can also take proactive measures to improve their writing skills. Understanding essay prompts, outlining, drafting, and revising are all essential steps in the writing process. Seeking help from writing coaches or academic advisors can provide valuable guidance. With practice and perseverance, international students can develop strong writing skills that will benefit them in their academic and professional pursuits.
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Knowing how to read people
International students often face the challenge of learning how to write effectively in a second language. This can be a source of anxiety for both students and instructors. However, there are several strategies that can help international students improve their writing skills and succeed in business writing classes.
One key aspect of passing a business writing class is knowing how to read people. This involves understanding their perspectives and tailoring your message accordingly. Effective communication is not just about having "a way with words", but rather, it is about good thinking and strategy. Being able to read people allows you to adapt your writing style to suit the context and your audience's preferences. For example, in scientific discourse, the use of the active voice is often avoided to maintain objectivity. However, some writers in scientific fields now argue that strict adherence to passive voice can hinder readability. Understanding your audience's expectations and preferences is crucial to effective communication.
Instructors play a vital role in helping international students develop their writing skills. It is important to recognize that learning to write in a new language takes time and courage. Instructors should provide well-considered feedback that focuses on the student's core learning goals rather than nit-picking every error. This helps students develop their fluency and feel more comfortable with writing in a new language. It is also beneficial to share examples of good academic writing, including drafts and the thought process behind the writing, to make the learning process less intimidating and encourage resilience.
International students can also take several steps to improve their business writing skills. Firstly, understanding the essay prompt and breaking it down into smaller questions can help structure your essay and ensure it addresses the topic effectively. Writing the first draft without editing allows you to get your raw ideas on paper. This is followed by revising and editing to improve the quality and clarity of your essay. Additionally, seeking help from writing coaches or academic advisors can provide valuable support and resources for international students.
Passing a business writing class as an international student requires a combination of effective learning strategies and a deep understanding of your audience. By knowing how to read people and adapt your writing style, you can improve your communication skills and succeed in business writing.
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Understanding context and making appropriate choices
Understanding Context
Contextual understanding is pivotal for international students to excel in business writing. They should recognize that writing conventions vary across disciplines. For instance, in scientific writing, the active voice is often avoided to maintain objectivity. However, this preference is evolving, with some scientists embracing the active voice to enhance readability. Students should grasp how context shapes writing choices in their field and explore the underlying reasons for such preferences. This awareness empowers them to make judicious choices in their writing style, adapting to the unique demands of each discipline.
Making Appropriate Choices
International students can employ several strategies to make informed choices in their business writing:
- Prompt Analysis: Understanding the essay prompt is essential. International students should break down the prompt, asking clarifying questions to define the topic and identify its key components. This analytical approach ensures their essay remains focused and comprehensively addresses the prompt.
- Drafting and Revision: International students should embrace the drafting process. The first draft is a raw expression of ideas. Revision is about refining and improving this initial version. Each subsequent draft should enhance the essay's quality, ensuring concise and relevant content.
- Seeking Help: Essay writing can be challenging for international students. They should not hesitate to seek assistance from writing coaches, academic advisors, or support services. These resources provide valuable guidance, fostering their development as writers.
- Patience and Practice: Learning to write in a second language takes time and courage. International students should approach writing as a gradual process, focusing on consistent improvement. They should avail themselves of writing support services, recognizing that writing skills are honed through dedicated practice.
- Contextual Feedback: When receiving feedback, international students should view issues of usage and style as choices influenced by context. Instructors should provide written feedback in this context-aware manner, helping students understand how their writing choices align with disciplinary expectations.
- Individualized Feedback: Instructors should tailor their feedback to the unique needs of international students. While maintaining clear communication goals, they should be sensitive to the challenges of writing in a second language, focusing on comprehensibility rather than perfection in the student's primary language.
In conclusion, international students can enhance their business writing skills by understanding disciplinary contexts and making judicious choices. By embracing a growth mindset, availing support services, and incorporating feedback strategically, they can excel in their academic pursuits.
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Seeking progress, not perfection
International students face a unique set of challenges when it comes to writing, especially when English is their second language. The goal should be to seek progress, not perfection, and this applies to both the students and their instructors.
For students, the first step is to understand the context of their writing. What is the purpose of the piece? Who is the intended audience? For example, the use of the active voice is often discouraged in scientific writing to maintain objectivity, but this preference is changing, with some writers arguing that strict adherence to the passive voice can obscure readability. Understanding context will help international students make appropriate choices in their writing and avoid errors that could impact clarity.
The next step is to focus on continuous improvement. Writing is a skill, and like any skill, it takes practice. International students should be encouraged to write regularly, even if it is just free-writing or journaling to get their ideas down on paper. The more they write, the more comfortable they will become with the process, and they will begin to see their progress over time.
Instructors play a crucial role in supporting international students' writing development. It is important to recognize that writing is a journey and that perfection is not the goal, especially in the early stages. Instructors should provide feedback that is constructive and focused on the students' core learning goals. Instead of nit-picking every error, instructors should help students identify patterns of mistakes and work on correcting the most critical errors first. For example, if a student consistently struggles with verb conjugation, the instructor can provide targeted exercises or resources to address this issue.
Instructors should also be mindful of their own biases and perspectives. "Good" writing can vary significantly across disciplines, and what constitutes effective communication in one field may not apply in another. By sharing their own writing processes, including drafts and struggles with writer's block, instructors can demystify the writing process and help students understand that it is a fluid and often messy journey.
Finally, both students and instructors should be aware of the resources available to support writing development. Many campuses offer writing centers, tutoring services, and other student support systems that can provide additional guidance and feedback. By seeking out these resources, international students can accelerate their progress and become more confident writers.
In summary, seeking progress, not perfection, is about embracing the writing process as a journey of continuous improvement. For international students, this may involve extra challenges, but with practice, patience, and the right support, they can develop their writing skills effectively and successfully.
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Frequently asked questions
International students can improve their business writing skills by seeking additional support from their university's writing centre, where they can receive assistance from a writing coach. They can also contextualise written feedback on usage and style, and meet with their professors to discuss noticeable usage issues. Furthermore, international students can invest in books that offer practical guidance on improving writing skills, such as "Business Writing Today - International Student Edition: A Practical Guide".
International students should first ensure they understand the essay prompt and break down the topic by asking relevant questions. After completing the conclusion, they should revise their first draft to improve the quality of the essay. It is also beneficial to ask for help from professors or advisors if they are unsure about the quality of their essay.
Professors can support international students by providing low-stakes and ungraded writing exercises to help students practice. They should also be mindful that good writing can vary by discipline and that it is challenging to teach everything in a single semester. Instead, professors can share their writing processes, including drafts and experiences with writer's block, to make the process more accessible.
Professors should be mindful that English is a difficult language to learn and that international students bring a host of language skills as multilingual learners. While it is important to uphold standards of clear and lucid communication, professors can grade generously on language issues and focus on the class-relevant content. They can also provide extra feedback to support the student's learning journey.
