1. Leo Schmitt
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College/Graduate
Center
Donna Drewes
New York University

2. Overview
 Rationale
 Needs Analysis
 Founding a Program
 Ancillary Support
 Writing Tutors
 Academic Enhancement Sessions
 Faculty Outreach
 Challenges
 Q & A

3. Rationale
 Massive growth in International Student Population
(500 % in four years)
 Unevenly prepared content faculty
 Questionable integrity of standardized language tests
 Disconnect of international student expectations and
reality
 Major discussion of the maintenance of standards

4. Needs Analysis
 Faculty expectations of linguistic and cultural skills
diverge widely
 Student expectations of support and engagement high
 Administrative understanding of the challenges
limited
Conclusion: The challenge extends far beyond just
writing

5. Five areas of support
 Social and Cultural Support
 Global Network Representatives Program
 One-on-one Writing and Language Tutoring
 Academic Enhancement Program
 Faculty Support and Training

6. Social and cultural support
 Pen Pals International
 A support group led by an experienced teacher focused
on presenting writing as a tool for empowerment
 Exploring text as a means to build up intrinsic
motivation in students
 Community support for writing goals
 An opportunity to socialize and make friends

7. Social and cultural support
 Intercultural Discussions
 Community members introduce relevant cultural topics
and then encourage student insights
 An opportunity for students to take pride in and share
their own cultural perspectives
 An opportunity to practice speaking in a supportive, low
stakes environment
 An opportunity to socialize and make friends

8. Social and cultural support
 International Club
 A student-run club that puts on social and cultural
events for all School students
 Events have included a Holi festival, a Mid-Autumn
festival party, and an international game night
 All events are student-driven and student-run, so offer a
chance to get involved and take on leadership positions
 An opportunity to socialize and make friends

9. Social and cultural support
 Referral and Support
 NYU is a big university with many services
 Often overwhelming and impersonal for students
 It can be hard to know how things work in another
country or to know what you should do
 The center offers a place where dedicated staff respond
immediately to virtually any student concern

10. Global Network Representative
(Buddy) Program
 A program to put students in touch with other
students who can help one-on-one
 A great way to make friends
 Meet students from the United States or their country
who want to help
 Continuing students can volunteer to help a new
student feel at home, giving a sense of purpose and
value

11. Language Tutoring
 Work with a professional tutor one on one for one hour.
 Can help with writing, speaking, reading, listening.
 Book in advance or try walking-in.
 Book in person at the Center or by e-mail

12. Language Tutoring
 The Process
 The Variety of Students
 Different Levels
 Different Cultures and Languages
 Different Academic Needs and Styles

13. Academic Enhancement Program
 Built by marrying needs with faculty skills
 Instructors are specialists in their field
 Great opportunity to improve skills
 More support for students to improve in weak areas

14. Academic Enhancement Program
 Academic Enhancement Sessions
 College Skills
 Writing
 Speaking
 Culture (Academic and General)
 Technology
 Also a forum for students to air concerns

15. Faculty Outreach
 Content Faculty very open to support and suggestions
 Multiple presentations and discussions offered
 Techniques for working with international students
 Individual consultation and support

16. Challenges
 Start-up; No Blueprints
 Reaching Students
 Varied Disciplinary Needs
 Varied Faculty Needs
 Administrative Communication
 Funding

17. Questions?
 Leo Schmitt
 tschmitt@bmcc.cuny.edu
 Donna Drewes
 did1@nyu.edu