In this course, we will discover together that writing in a foreign language (English, in this case) can be a joyful and empowering process. As learners of English, we may have long suffered from examination-oriented English education that emphasizes rote memorization and forced practice while idolizing a “standard” way of speaking and writing in English. In this class, we will unshackle ourselves from these inefficient methods and biased views of “good” English. We will explore how reading for pleasure and immersing yourself in what genuinely interests you can be a powerful way to improve your English proficiency and become a better writer. We will also learn that resistance towards writing is normal. Developing a flexible writing process that honors “bad” first drafts and values revision is critical to overcoming writer’s block. More importantly, we will criticize the biased view that having an accent is undesirable and that sounding like a “standard” native speaker is the ultimate goal. Instead, we will feel more confident in the diverse linguistic resources each of us brings and use the full repertoire of our multilingual abilities in our writing to create something unique and beautiful.Writing 1 [Multilingual Learner] is an introduction to college-level writing, reading and discussion specifically designed for students whose native language is not English. Initial writing assignments will involve students with language as a personally expressive, creative, and imaginative medium. Later assignments will bring this expressiveness to bear on practical writing tasks typical of college-level work: research, analysis, argument, etc. Reading is designed to stimulate discussion and present models for students' own writing. Although writing and reading are the main emphases, attention will also be given to informal discussion and oral presentation.

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