Conference brings second language writing scholars to Purdue
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Learning to speak a second language is not sufficient to communicate globally, says a Purdue University English professor who emphasizes the importance of writing in second languages."Businesses, schools and people often use the Internet as their primary means of communication overseas and across international borders," says Tony Silva, professor of English. "Because e-mail or instant messaging may be the only way people from different countries 'talk,' more people are paying attention to how people write in a second language."
Second language writing experts are meeting at Purdue June 8-10 as part of the Symposium on Second Language Writing 2006, an event organized by Silva and Paul Kei Matsuda, associate professor of English at the University of New Hampshire. Silva also is co-editor of the Journal of Second Language Writing, which he co-founded in 1991. Silva's co-editor is Ilona Leki, professor of English at the University of Tennessee.
Silva began to take an interest in second language writing nearly 20 years ago when he witnessed the struggles and needs of international students trying to improve their English writing skills at American universities.
"There are half a million international students in the United States today," Silva says. "In general, they have good oral command of English, but often they struggle with writing in another language. Writing well is important in any field, whether it's reporting on new science findings or adding text to an art portfolio."
In addition to the needs of international students and increasing international interaction, Silva says there is a growing interest in second language writing because of the increasing non-native English speaking population in the United States. This also is evident because more classes are offered in foreign language departments, including Purdue's, which help native Spanish speakers improve their writing. Silva says writing should not be forgotten when helping new American residents learn English.
The Symposium on Second Language Writing 2006 is the fifth in a series of biennial meetings that began in 1998. Information about the conference schedule, speakers and fees is available online.
Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, (765) 494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu
Source: Tony Silva, (765) 494-3769, tony@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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