At the Writing Center, we strive to create a space that is safe for all writers. This means accommodating each appointment to the individual writer we are seeing, as we recognize that every person has their own, unique writing process. An instance when this is extremely important is with English as an Additional Language (ELA) writers.
The assimilationist stance is when we, as tutors, push writers to conform to the dominate culture of standard English. When we do this, we see any differences in writing style as an error on the writer’s part. Not only does this create an evaluative environment that sees the writer’s style as less than, it also encourages the unjust system that is so often perpetuated by the colonial standard of English.
What we want to do is move toward an accommodationist stance, meaning we provide the writers with the resources to learn new discourse patterns while allowing them to maintain their linguistic, cultural identities.
How to Embrace Accommodationist Stances in Your Tutoring
While keeping in mind that each ELA writer has an individual identity and cannot be generalized, there are a few tips and tricks to have up your sleeve when approaching these appointments!
Shift your focus.
The appointment is for the writer and their work, meaning the tutor should work towards assisting them in their goals and not in the goals the tutor would set for themselves. The tutor should focus on what the writer wants to communicate, and not get hung up on the small details of how they communicate it.
Ask questions.
A tutor should always ask questions as to not assume the writer’s capabilities and goals. Assumptions can so often lead to the use of microaggressions. We want the flow of communication between the tutor and the writer to be open!
Be suggestive and clear in your role.
We do not want to lose the value that is gained from providing peer reviewing, as we are not evaluators. It is important to make sure the writer is aware of the tutors role as a peer, and that the tutor uses suggestive language as not to assert what the writer must do.
Continue Learning
As tutors, learning how to guide writers is a never-ending journey. While standard English is something we’ve been taught to see as a goal, we need to unlearn that it is the only acceptable, educated way to communicate. It is essential to start to see the value in cultural differences that come with ELA writers, and accommodate to their process. Rather than forcing writers to assimilate to the dominant culture, we should adjust our own understanding of writing and language as to appreciate the beauty in the writing process of each individual.