Common Multilingual Language Differences

Developed by fellow SJSU faculty, these guides are designed to help instructors work with multilingual writers to improve their writing. The guides introduce instructors to the ten most common errors made by multilingual writers, and help instructors work with students in more meaningful, constructive ways.

These guides are not designed to be simply handed to students, of course, with the expectation that multilingual writers will suddenly write better. They are designed to help all faculty understand the thinking and logic behind the most common grammatical errors our students make, equipping us to better help them develop as writers in ways that move beyond simply pointing out errors.

Multilingual writers find that recognition of their mother tongue helps them approach English more constructively — in a sense, as an extension of their own language. And these guides help instructors do just that, without any need to learn another language or become an expert on linguistics. 

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