Hierarchy of Concerns -- Assessing ESL Writing

Undeveloped ideas  Student may not be comprehending reading, class material.

• Refer to tutoring; ask what English class student is taking/has taken

Unclear organization  Student may be unfamiliar with U.S. academic conventions.

• Refer to tutoring

• Refer to Everyday Writer pp. 491-493

Lack of focus  This may be a combination of undeveloped ideas and unclear organization, or student may not understand the assignment.

• Refer to tutoring

• Work one-on-one with student

Clarity of message compromised by errors in usage, mechanics, and diction  Errors are not cosmetic but definitely interfere with comprehensibility.

• Try to define types of errors, using list below

• Refer student to Everyday Writer, to their own ESL textbook, or to Writing Center resources. 

1.                   Mistakes in subject-verb agreement (Everyday Writer, pp. 240-246)

2.                  Mistakes in verb tense (pp. 234-240)

3.                  Mistakes in singular/plural nouns (pp. 245-245, 495-499)

4.                  Errors in sentence boundaries           (pp. 265-274)

5.                  Errors in word order (p. 512)

6.                  Spelling errors, wrong word (i.e. different for difference) (p. 13)

7.                  Errors with prepositions or articles (pp. 509-511)

8.                 Irregular past verb forms (pp. 230-233)

9.                  Conditional sentences (pp. 517-518)

Writing Center Resources  The Writing Center has a variety of references for ESL students, many designed for self-study.  Students may check out books for one week.

General: Grammar in Use series; Vocabulary in Use; Longman Dictionary of American English. Prepositions, Verbs: Ins and Outs of Prepositions; Prepositions Illustrated; Ultimate Phrasal Verb Book. Idioms: 101 American English Idioms; American Slang Dictionary; Street Speak; Speak American.