Chelsi+Archibald+Tutoring+Responses

September 4th: Today was interesting and exciting working with the ELL 1010 students. I helped two different students who are from Saudi Arabia. I am interested in these students because a couple of years ago I lived in an apartment complex across the street in which there were many Saudi students living. I was able to interact with them on a daily basis as my neighbors and learned a lot about their culture. I learned that there are two separate tribes from the Saudi area and that you should not mistake one for the other because apparently, they do not get along. I don't know the specific reasons why other than politics in their country. I also learned through these interactions that most of these students have strict dietary codes that they follow. I enjoyed getting to know them during the time I lived in the apartment complex. Tonight, two similar students worked with me and I found them delightful. Both had a relatively decent understanding of the English language and wrote basic essays on their quiz. Many of the mistakes they made were grammatical, sometimes missing a period or a comma where one would be appropriate. The ideas expressed were basic and simple, oftentimes relaying an exact idea from the text they had read. It was interesting and enjoyable to help them and read their work.

About September 4th (T Conrad): I agree with you that Saudi and Middle-Eastern culture are really interesting. I'm sure you're going to learn a lot about them this semester. In terms of basic grammar and style, one goal of the class is to help them develop their academic English is greater complexity. It's a gradual process and will benefit from their interaction with fluent speakers like you and your other Methods classmates.

September 18th: This class was a lot of fun because we were able to view the Sundance film and then discuss cultural differences. I found it fun and interesting to hear what the two Saudi students in my group had to say about America and its people as well as the differences from their home country. I think the film was great in exploring the ways Americans can stereotype people from the Middle East into one people, when each country is very different and does not necessarily have the same customs or way of life. I also found it interesting that they wanted us to know that difference and let us know that they live in a nice country that is organized, unlike the politically torn Palestine. They were very understanding about Americans and said that most of them were very nice and treated them with respect. I think they are being very kind in that regard, but mostly I am happy to see that they have had a good experience in our country.

TC: Sept 25: Isn't that an interesting and logical response, that your Saudi students would want to clearly distinguish among the different countries in the Middle East, just as Latinos want people to understand that each Latin American country has its own distinctive customs and governments.