The International Student Centre, University of Toronto is a resource centre where students can access a number of supports and services be they social, educational, or cultural. The goal of the centre is to introduce visiting students to Canada and to provide them with information and activities that will make their stay as enriching as possible. Housed in a historic building, Cumberland House, the ISC has a relaxed atmosphere. Students can receive academic advice, counselling, play table tennis, take English conversation classes, or learn about work-abroad programs. Cultural activities include camping in Algonquin Provincial Park and weekly lunches consisting of student-prepared ethnic dishes.

Currently I teach an academic writing course for students of various cultural and academic backgrounds at the ISC. Based on their needs, I introduce students to the writing process, specifically, various essay styles including:

• the Critical Response Essay
• the Descriptive Essay
• the Analytical Essay
• the Research Essay

The course is a comprehensive one, encompassing 11 weeks of two-hour classes. In addition to introducing various essay styles, I also provide information on paraphrasing, grammar, word choice, plagiarism, and the use of some literary devices, such as themes and contexts. I teach using a combination of lecture, class discussion, and in-class writing. Students are encouraged to self-direct their own learning by referring to handouts provided on various topics and that are reviewed in class to ensure comprehension. In helping to develop students' academic writing skills, I hope to:

• help students succeed in the university environment
• help students develop their critical reading, thinking, and writing skills
• help students appreciate the relationship between the writer and the audience (reader)
• introduce students to effective learning approaches, including self-directed learning, collaborative learning, and informal learning

Writing is a conduit to self expression; so my hope is that students discover their own "voice" when engaging in the writing process. Excelling at writing, however, takes time and practice, so perseverance is key!

In order to cultivate independence and self-direction in students, I have created handouts that provide information and guidance on various processes and topics. To view these handouts, click on the "Rlated Documents" link to the right, then on the drop-down links in turn.