A Writer's Wanderings

(“For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.” – Aristotle) Just like with any subject or discipline─ the more you practice, the more you’ll learn. For EMLS students (English for Multi Lingual Students), English was not the first language they practiced. At the Writing and Reading Center, tutors offer different tools and strategies that specifically focus on how to better assist EMLS students. Strategies WRC Tutors use for EMLS Students: ● One-On-One Sessions: One of the most important characteristics of the Reading and Writing Center is the focus on the individual student with one-on-one sessions. This is especially important for EMLS students because we can get to know them better. Ask questions about not only the assignment, but what is the student’s first language? Where are they from? This firstly builds comfortability with tutor and student. Secondly, this also helps the tutor evaluate the students level of English. ● Be Encou...

Today the snarky English teacher got on her bike to take a ride. She wore her straw hat with the brim she can see through. A hat with a brim is like a revolver but less lethal. It is defense. When the snarky English teacher doesn’t want to see someone, she pulls it down. When she doesn’t want comments, alleged flattery or not, she pulls it down. When she wants to think, she pulls it down. But she has to remember to look through the weave, especially when on a bike. There is an old guy across the street. He lives alone. Let’s call him Jeb. Jeb likes to run water into the gutter, waiting to see who will come out and talk to him. Sometimes a rather hefty friend on a motorcycle obliges. Often the stalwart postal carrier will take out his or her earphones and oblige. If they don’t oblige, Jeb shouts comments to anyone within earshot because he is lonely. He could join a club and make friends that way, but it is really none of the snarky English teacher’s concern. Too much friendliness ...

We are excited to announce the start of our blog for the Writing and Reading Center at Fresno City College. We, the staff, tutors, and faculty, who work at the center are excited to share blogs with you weekly about different topics of writing and reading. Our hope is that you find this blog to be inspiring, and that it will push you towards greatness. That being said, I'd like to share with you a little bit about my love of writing and reading and why I work at the WRC I started here as a tutor in 2008 when I was working on my Master's degree. I had the opportunity to work here for 2 years before I chose to move on to a job on my seminary's campus. I came back after 5 years once my M.A. was complete and began work as a supervisor in April of 2015. I have always loved reading and writing. When I was a little girl, my older sister told me that once I started reading, new worlds would be open to me. She was right. From the time I could begin to read, I voraciously attacke...