- Campuses :
- Twin Cities
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- Other Locations
We believe that students with English as their second language have unique writing needs that can best be supported by offering separate sections of Writ 1301: University Writing.
You may choose not to take NNS Writing courses; however, we strongly recommend that students with a TOEFL score under 600 or MELAB score under 90 consider taking a non-native speaker section. The NNS sections are only offered during the day.
WRIT 1301 section For Non-Native Speakers (NNS)
Register for this class if your TOEFL score is 550-599. To register for the class, contact Sheryl Holt, the Coordinator for Non-Native Speakers (306C Lind Hall [206 Wesbrook Hall after August 13th 2007], 612-624-4524, holtx001@umn.edu).
WRIT 1301 section For Native Speakers
Register for this class if your TOEFL score is 600 or above. No special permission is needed to register.
All sections of First-Year Writing courses have similar criteria and standards but we have developed special sections to help address the unique writing needs and backgrounds of non-native speakers. In general, we cover the same type of material and have the same number of assignments. Both classes will help you explore the writing process and discover how to write effectively and clearly for university audiences. Both classes address these skills: finding and researching a topic, constructing a thesis statement, developing an argument, organizing and writing a draft, revising a draft, documenting sources, editing and proofreading.
What is unique about non-native speaker sections of First-Year Writing courses, is that every teacher has a master's degree in ESL/Linguistics in addition to extensive training in teaching writing to second language writers. Also, these sections are limited to non-native speakers so that students can benefit from class discussions and group conferences with other non-native speakers who may be experiencing similar difficulties. We are also able to provide more teacher contact with students by offering slightly smaller class sizes in these special sections. Finally, we spend more time in class discussing the various issues that are unique to second language writers. Some of these issues include the following: grammar problems, cultural differences, and American audience expectations in writing.
All the non-native speaker sections carry the same number of credits as the native speaker sections, and there is no indicator on the transcript showing that the First-Year Writing course is a special section: your transcript will look just like that of a native speaker.
First, get your English proficiency score. You can use a TOEFL score, a MELAB score, or an ACT ENGLISH part score to determine your eligibility for First-Year Writing courses. In order to register for a First Year Writing course at the University of Minnesota, you must have one of the minimum scores listed below. To register for a writing course for non-native speakers, e-mail Sheryl Holt, or call 612-624-4524 for further information.
Minimum scores needed before registering for Writ 1301
If you need help with a writing assignment you are working on, you may want to try out the Center for Writing's Student Writing Support. The Center for Writing employs specially trained tutors at Student Writing Support, located in 15 Nicholson Hall, to assist non-native speakers. You may use the regular walk-in hours available to any University of Minnesota student.
Longman's Dictionary of American English
This dictionary is specifically designed for non-native speakers. It includes idioms and gives many examples of the words in context.
Understanding and Using English Grammar
By Betty Azar, is a very thorough grammar book that includes exercises to complete, but no answer key is included.
Center for Writing, University of Minnesota
Purdue University ESL Help
University of Texas at Austin ESL Help (with additional NNS/ESL website listings)
ESL Cafe on the Web
NOTE: Non-native speakers of English (NNS) sometimes also are referred to as ESL (English as a Second Language) or EFL (English as a Foreign Language) speakers.
If you have questions, contact Sheryl Holt, the Coordinator for Non-Native Speakers (306C Lind Hall [206 Wesbrook Hall after August 13th 2007], 612-624-4524, holtx001@umn.edu).
