Study together – Study Group

In Burma, we have excellent educations, training, and skills. However, our dreams of success elude us in the United States because we cannot write effectively in the link language. Therefore, we should learn what English readers expect and how our writing can achieve our goals.

In the writing process, we can divide in five stages prewriting, outlining, writing, revising, and editing. In the first two stages, we can see how to generate and then focus your ideas. In the writing and revising stages, we will discover how to write clearly focused topic sentences and thesis statements, which will guide us in writing logical, unified paragraphs and essays. In the final stage, we will refine and perfect our work, making it free of grammatical and punctuation errors.

Along the way, we will also gain important critical thinking skills and learn some techniques for writing concisely—something that is highly valued in English writing. If we will study together, we will be able to write clearly, logically, and cohesively, and we will be able to apply what we have learned in any academic or work setting.

Conversation Partner

A S-P-E-C-I-A-L Conversation Partner?!

Sensitive
Realize that these men and women were smart in their native language. Be sensitive to their feelings of embarrassment, inadequacy, etc. Watch for nonverbal clues of frustration, and be ready to encourage and reassure.

Patient
Don't be afraid to repeat things often. Have realistic expectations of what your friend can do.

Enthusiastic
Give them genuine and frequent encouragement; however, don't tell them everything is "great" or "wonderful" if it isn't - be selective in your praise. Don't be afraid to correct mistakes. Most students want and expect this.

Creative
Use your imagination. Your sense of humor can be one of your greatest assets. Think of ways to make tasks into games.

Informed
Find out about your friend's background and culture. Use resources which will help you become a better Conversation Partner.

Adaptable
Be willing to put aside some cultural expectations of the way things "should" be. Be willing to change your agenda, pace, etc. to meet your friend's particular week-to-week needs.

Loving
Pray for your friend's progress. Look for ways to serve him or her outside of your weekly meetings.