Welcome to the

Higher College of Technology

WritingCentre

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E Photo by Hamdy Hussein

Background

Writing Centres: An International Concept

Successfully helped students in schools, colleges, and universities since the 1970s

Writing centres suit the special needs of students learning English as a second or foreign language

With at least 30 major differences between the English and Arabic languages, these students face certain challenges; we are there to provide personalised assistance

Writing Centres Have . . .

Most colleges and universities worldwide offer free writing centre services to their students

Typical services offered by writing centres include help with structure and organisation of writing

The HCT Writing Centre offers tutoring one-on-one, face-to-face, giving the student personalised attention

Some students who are having specific difficulties will discuss them personally with the centre’s tutor but not with a teacher in a classroom

Students with special needs in English can often be helped with the personal attention tutoring provides

How the HCT Writing Centre Can Benefit the Student

Marks can increase dramatically in all forms of study as this overflows into speaking, reading, and listening

Tutoring, if done correctly, can greatly improve a students’ self-esteem as the student and tutor are on the level. Body language and the approach of the tutor are essential

There are many more benefits for student, teacher, and tutor

How the HCT Writing Centre Can Benefit the Student

Existing Centres in the Gulf Region

College of the North Atlantic—DohaSeveral of our lecturers attended an international writing centre symposium there in October 2007The American University of SharjahSharjah has a small writing centre located in their library. They have a staff of 14 tutors, and they hold regular workshops

Existing Centres in the Gulf Region

University of BahrainThis a newly-established Centre seems to be very organised, and they have already created a Web siteUniversity of QatarThe University of Qatar has a Web-based writing facility (available only through their intranet)

Last week, the Higher College of

Technology opened the first writing centre in Oman!

Purpose

Higher College of Technology

Writing Centre

We are there for your students when they need individual help with their writingWe assist students in developing their ability to edit and revise their own writingWe provide one-on-one counselling with students—this is impossible during class timeWe take referrals from teachers and provide written feedback We allow students to make appointments--we want students to seek help on their own

Information for teachers . . .

Three Components of a Writing Centre

1. It is a place to turn when a student needs individual help with writing

2. It is a source for materials: We provide ready access to handouts, dictionaries and other resource books

3. It is a starting point for access to online resources for the student writer with our virtual writing lab

How to Use the Centre

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E Signs like this are posted in and around the Self-Access CentreWe are located in Room 240

Teacher Referrals

1. Student Arrives with

Referral Form

2. Consultation with Tutor and

Analysis by Tutor

3. Written Feedback to

Teacher

Appointments or Walk-ins

1. Student Consultation with

Tutor

2. Student Leaves with Assignment

3. Student Returns with Revised Draft

for Further Analysis

Appointments

Students are asked to use the sign-up sheet at the front desk at the Self Access Centre in order to schedule appointments; we have rules about missed appointments

Teachers have the option to send students with referral form

In the future, students will be able to schedule appointments through our Web site

Current Staffing

Next Week’s Student Scheduling

Evaluation

Records of students’ names and ID numbers in order to track their progress--database

Writing marks—compare with database to see how students are benefitting

Remember Some of the Basic Guidelines of the Writing Centre

We only offer individual, one-on-one counselling

We help students to solve a variety of writing problems on their own

We can work with students on any level

We do not write papers for students or guarantee good marks—but we can help

We can also help increase a students’ self-esteem and confidence

Our Writing CentreIs an Evolving Process

Any Comments or Suggestions are Welcome!

And one last note . . .

We need resources!

HCT Writing Centre, 27 February 2008