1. Welcome to the Higher College of Technology Writing Centre

2. HCT Writing Centre Photo by Hamdy Hussein

3. Background Writing Centres: An International Concept

4. Writing Centres Have . . . Successfully helped students in schools, colleges, and universities since the 1970s Writing centres suit the special needs of students learning English as a second or foreign language With at least 30 major differences between the English and Arabic languages, these students face certain challenges; we are there to provide personalised assistance

5. Most colleges and universities worldwide offer free writing centre services to their students Typical services offered by writing centres include help with structure and organisation of writing

6. How the HCT Writing Centre Can Benefit the Student The HCT Writing Centre offers tutoring one-on-one, face-to-face, giving the student personalised attention Some students who are having specific difficulties will discuss them personally with the centre’s tutor but not with a teacher in a classroom Students with special needs in English can often be helped with the personal attention tutoring provides

7. How the HCT Writing Centre Can Benefit the Student Marks can increase dramatically in all forms of study as this overflows into speaking, reading, and listening Tutoring, if done correctly, can greatly improve a students’ self-esteem as the student and tutor are on the level. Body language and the approach of the tutor are essential There are many more benefits for student, teacher, and tutor

8. Existing Centres in the Gulf Region College of the North Atlantic—DohaSeveral of our lecturers attended an international writing centre symposium there in October 2007 The American University of SharjahSharjah has a small writing centre located in their library. They have a staff of 14 tutors, and they hold regular workshops

9. Existing Centres in the Gulf Region University of BahrainThis a newly-established Centre seems to be very organised, and they have already created a Web site University of QatarThe University of Qatar has a Web-based writing facility (available only through their intranet)

10. Last week, the Higher College of Technology opened the first writing centre in Oman!

11. Purpose Higher College of Technology Writing Centre

12. Information for teachers . . . We are there for your students when they need individual help with their writing We assist students in developing their ability to edit and revise their own writing We provide one-on-one counselling with students—this is impossible during class time We take referrals from teachers and provide written feedback We allow students to make appointments--we want students to seek help on their own

13. Three Components of a Writing Centre

14. It is a place to turn when a student needs individual help with writing It is a source for materials: We provide ready access to handouts, dictionaries and other resource books It is a starting point for access to online resources for the student writer with our virtual writing lab

15. How to Use the Centre

16. HCT Writing Centre Signs like this are posted in and around the Self-Access Centre We are located in Room 240

17. Teacher Referrals

18. Appointments or Walk-ins

19. Appointments Students are asked to use the sign-up sheet at the front desk at the Self Access Centre in order to schedule appointments; we have rules about missed appointments Teachers have the option to send students with referral form In the future, students will be able to schedule appointments through our Web site

20. Current Staffing

21. Next Week’s Student Scheduling

22. Evaluation Records of students’ names and ID numbers in order to track their progress--database Writing marks—compare with database to see how students are benefitting

23. Remember Some of the Basic Guidelines of the Writing Centre We only offer individual, one-on-one counselling We help students to solve a variety of writing problems on their own We can work with students on any level We do not write papers for students or guarantee good marks—but we can help We can also help increase a students’ self-esteem and confidence

24. Our Writing CentreIs an Evolving Process Any Comments or Suggestions are Welcome!

25. And one last note . . . We need resources!

26. HCT Writing Centre, 27 February 2008