Resources Prepared by Center for Global Engagement Teams
Overview
Team members in the English Language Center, International Student and Scholar Services, English Writing Center, MATESOL, Gonzaga Global, Office of the Pedagogy of Hope, and Learning Strategies are combining energy and efforts to support multilingual international students at Gonzaga. We recognize that as these students adjust to their new college lives culturally, linguistically, and academically, they will struggle. The good news is that, as evidenced in research (see Bibliography in the sidebar) and in our own experience, they are tenacious and only a minority of multilingual international undergraduates struggle in achieving academic success. This is true even for the many students who have difficulties in their English language acquisition, and this challenge has been shown to dissipate over time, given support.
We are exploring ways to continue to serve our multilingual international students while at the same time improving processes, communication, and resource availability. In the meantime, we provide several short-term resources we have identified to help. If it is a matter related to:
- LANGUAGE READINESS – reach out or refer students to the English Language Center (ELC) Director, Nick David, PhD
- CONTENT KNOWLEDGE – reach out to the Learning Strategies Director, Bryce Thomas, or directly refer students to make an appointment with Peer Tutors in the Learning Studio. Consider inviting an Embedded Tutor to hold group study sessions or individual tutoring.
- WRITING – refer students to the University Writing Center.
- ACADEMIC SKILLS – work with Anne-Marie VanRiper to create a specialized Academic Coaching session to elevate study skills, implement academic strategies, and more in Learning Strategies or peruse Student Success Tips and Resources (found here). Continue to submit REFER forms.
- MENTAL HEALTH – work with Health & Counseling Services or Center for Cura Personalis. Continue to submit REFER forms.
- OTHER ISSUES – Write to intlstudentsuccess@gonzaga.edu, we will reach out to you for a quick chat.
We are thankful for the passionately caring community that supports international students in numerous ways, for example, by recognizing and addressing cultural variations in the classroom. The Center for Global Engagement is here to support you in turn.
Please reach out to intlstudentsuccess@gonzaga.edu if you notice that an international student needs help (thanks to those who already are). Similar to the REFER process, we will make every effort to contact referred students within 1-2 business days. Regardless of a student's response, please also know that some action is taken on every email submission that is received. We do our best to encourage students to reply to faculty and our outreach, but sometimes students do not reply. If your concern remains, please contact us again.
Please reach out to intlstudentsuccess@gonzaga.edu if you would like to collaborate in your endeavor to help a student succeed, or if you would like to be informed as we continue to enhance and develop our long-term strategies.
Helpful Tips on supporting international students, created by Gonzaga colleagues.