18 October 2023
How is writing in English different from writing in your first language?
I would say the overall structure itself in academic writings is not as different as I expected before starting undergraduate education. But, of course, I sometimes struggle to come up with sophisticated vocabulary or sentence structure, which are different from spoken ones which we use in discussions. Therefore, writing in English is for me thinking about every sentence after deciding a big context.
What has been your experience with writing at Carleton?
I have taken classes almost with a “writing rich” theme on syllabus, so I write two or three long papers per term in each class and in some classes I have small writings for every class. I would say that I have basic information or ideas on structure because I studied for IELTS for two years before. In Carleton, I learned how to do citations correctly and how to utilize such cited materials without being plagiarism. Furthermore, I visit writing center to discuss as many essays as I have. As I said above, I find difficulties in academic writing style sometimes, so I get advice to clarify my arguments with an advisor. As a result of such efforts and pondering on the essays, I have gotten good grades on them so far.
What are some of the benefits of being a multilingual writer/thinker?
The first benefit would be being able to think from multiple perspectives. I learned that languages reflect how each language speakers have interacted [with] the outside world, which means my mother tongue and English speakers in the past had different ways of viewing the world. I feel that in reality. My native language has various types of polite language in order to show respect to the elderly or others while English only has small changes in verbs or how they say seemingly for me. Such differences make me realize the differences in cultures, viewpoints, and such. It is important to live in diverse society. In addition, I can understand how others struggle with learning other languages and also how I do on my third one. Since I can regard other languages as completely different things without putting the standards of my language, I have been finding learn it and understanding how learners of my language make mistakes, leading me to help myself and others.
What resources have supported your development as a writer?
First, I studied academic writing in order to get high scores in IELTS, so I began with an IELTS textbook. It taught me many synonyms for important words, conjunctions, and structure. They are my foundation in my writing now. Then, my professor told me a book about college essays, which teach me in what order to consider each paragraph, how to do citations, or what to be included in introductions and conclusions. I always write based on what it says and I get additional advice from writing center.
What strategies have professors used to make writing a positive experience for you?
Many of my professors asked us to write an essay based on our materials in class but freely. It deepened my comprehension of the materials and allowed me to connect them with what I have learned and experienced. I think it is a really positive point of their assignments. Since we are from all walks of life and with different majors, we should train our writing skills of not clarifying materials but making their learning much deep learning for individuals.
What kinds of challenges have you faced as a multilingual writer?
As I answered in the first question, I sometimes struggle to come up with sophisticated vocabulary or sentence structure, which are different from spoken ones which we use in discussions. As I try to bring my English writing level as one of my mother language, I always take time to search such high-level words to make my essays more academic.
What advice would you give faculty to help them support multilingual writers?
I do not think multilingual writers need support from faculty because professors already promote students to visit their office hour enough. However, it might be useful to tell them about writing center more as an option to help them.
If you’re an international student, what advice would you give another student from your country who is coming to study in the U.S.?
Although they already study about academic writing for IELTS or TOEFL, college writing is a little different based on those writings, so I will advise them to learn introductions and conclusions to make your arguments stronger and clearer. And high school education in my country does now have much writing experience, so they will have to practice thinking logically using some reasons to support their core opinions.