Vuksanovich, Duncker-Hoffmann publish advice for training Writing Center tutors

Monica Vuksanovich (photo, left), North Central College visiting assistant professor of Spanish, and Karina Duncker-Hoffmann (right), instructor of ESL (English as a second language), coauthored the article, “Writing with English Language Learners: Advice for Training Writing Center Tutors.” It was published in the Summer 2013 issue of ITBE Link, the quarterly publication by the Illinois Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages-Bilingual Education (ITBE).

The ITBE newsletter focuses on practical advice for in-service ELL/bilingual teachers, provides updates on bilingual education policy, and highlights pedagogical best practices in the field of ELL/bilingual education.

The authors were invited to write the article by the organization as a follow-up to their previous presentation, titled “Write Now: Implementing a University-Level Training Program for Writing Center Tutors Working with English Language Learners,” at the annual ITBE statewide conference. The foundation of this work was formed while preparing for a series of training workshops for North Central’s Writing Center tutors who work with non-native speakers of English in collaboration with Jennifer Jackson, director of the College’s Writing Center and first-year writing and associate professor of English, and Jack Shindler, director of International Programs and professor of English.  

Vuksanovich has been teaching Spanish and foreign language/ELL education at North Central College since 2007. She earned her B.A. from Augustana College and her M.A.T. and Ph.D. from the University of Iowa.

Duncker-Hoffmann has taught German and ESL at North Central since 2008, and has taught in Italy, Japan and Germany. She earned her B.A. and M.A. from the University of Hamburg.