ESL discussion input

My commentary on ESL writers in the writing center is a bit belated because most of us have already discussed pitfalls and strategies in tutoring. I wanted to throw in my two cents in the spirit of blogging (and forgetting I had never written out my input but instead had voiced my opinion in class).

I'm still unsure how I would handle situations in which I was tutoring a writer whom I can literally not understand. We've discussed imagery and drawing shapes to communicate, but I can't see how that would be time-effective in a one- or in even a two-hour session. I've already had this experience, as many of you know, and I eventually gave up because the writer ended up constantly arguing with any suggestion I made — assuming either of us understood the other — so do you find another consultant to take the writer? Do you just sit there and let the writer finish reading the paper? Because that's what I did. And I felt useless and frustrated and completely unprepared for accepting another client.

It's draining. Despite the ways that have been outlined to handle ESL and international students, sometimes there aren't correct solutions and the only thing you can do is sit there. It's sad but...alas. I'm feeling deflated about the issue, and dear diary-ish.

I guess that's all.