ESL Discussion and the Tutoring Project

Some of the main points that I enjoyed from today's readings were the ideas that we need to get to know students' cultures. I've thoroughly enjoyed the experiences I've had in exchanging cultural information with international students. One student taught me more about Buddhist philosophy after he asked me to explain why there seems to be such a rift between science and religion in the U.S. According to him, Buddhist philosophy has no qualms with science and actually embraces it. Because of these ideological differences, it was somewhat difficult for him to enter into Western academic discourse that takes such issues for granted. Being a grad student in the communication department, it was important for him to be conversant with the background cultural issues in America before he could intelligibly comment on related issues in his writing. I'd never thought that I'd serve as a sort of intercultural communicator as a WC tutor, but I did... and it was fun. I really enjoyed learning about another perspective on life. In another instance, I learned the Chinese symbol for "sun" from another student. It looks like two squares stacked on top of each other. Since then, I've noticed that shape in architecture on campus, and it's made me think of the Chinese sun and smile. (how's that for cheesy?) It's thoroughly enjoyable and helpful to communicate to international students about their cultures. It's too bad that we don't have more time to just get to know people.

The observations are coming along pretty slowly. Just now, though, I set up some times to observe Taylor in the WC. She's completely booked over the next few days, unlike the girl we were going to observe at the Writing Desk who is working the same amount of hours but has only one scheduled appointment. It'll be interesting to observe a coworker.