International Students

International (EAP/ESL/ELL) students usually find the University Writing Center a very useful resource when they are writing papers in W001, W131, or other English courses.  Even after completing English composition course requirements, many students come back to the Writing Center to work on papers in their majors.

EAP (English for Academic Purposes) undergraduate tutoring sessions are 30 minutes long. You may have one session per day, up to three per week.

Because EAP students sometimes have more specific language questions, the University Writing Center has a specialized service – ACES. ACES consultants are faculty with EAP teaching experience who can help with language issues particular to EAP writers.

Our Handouts page includes several resources specifically designed for EAP writers, such as help with verb tenses and articles. Please look at the page for useful tools to help you with your English writing projects.

Our Links page provides links to many different websites that can help with general grammar, finding resources, and avoiding plagiarism.

To make the most of your visit to the University Writing Center:

* Plan ahead:  Schedule a consulting session several days before your writing project is due so you have time to continue work on your assignment(s). During peak times such midterm and finals when everyone has course papers and portfolios due, the UWC gets busy!  To make sure you can schedule a session at a time that’s convenient for you, call 274-2049 or 278-8171 and reserve a session in advance.

* Come prepared:  Consultants help best when you help them understand your writing project.  Bring assignment sheets, class notes, and/or instructor comments with you!

* Bring a draft-in-progress:  Consultants will help you see ways to revise your draft.  If you do not have a draft yet, consultants can talk with you about understanding your assignment and about strategies for getting started.

* Bring realistic expectations:  Consultants do not do the work for you.  Our goal is not just to make your paper better; we want to help you become a stronger writer in English. Most students continue working on papers after they leave the UWC.  Many students schedule more than one tutoring session per assignment.

* Come in while a response from a consultant can help:  UWC consultants specialize in helping students see ways to revise their drafts.  Consultants can offer only limited help on the day papers are due.

* Come ready to work with consultants:  Consultants do not have all the answers.  The most valuable sessions happen when students and consultants work together to improve a piece of writing.