Language Support Centre

Do you need help with any of these things?

• Getting ideas for what to write about
• Structuring and organizing your essay - developing paragraphs
• Communicating your ideas clearly, concisely, and effectively in English
• Understanding and recognizing your common mistakes and correcting your grammar
• Finding the right words and expressions to use
• Understanding the differences between written & spoken English
• Writing a first draft
• Revising your essay
• Preparing a presentation
• Speaking and pronunciation
• Oral English Staatsexamen support

 

The Language Support Centre at the Pädagogische Hochschule Ludwigsburg offers two main areas of support for current students studying the English Language:

Written English Support and Oral English Support.

Both support services are provided by actual native English-speaking tutors from abroad (North America or Great Britian). The goal of the Language Support Centre is to provide quality assistance and accuracy of the English Language in both, Written and Oral, means of production in hopes to achieve fluency. 

 

Written English Support:

Support for Written English is provided in the English Writing Lab by native English-speaking tutors. The English Writing Lab provides individual assistance for students on a voluntary basis, who need help with the following: Essays (First Drafts-Final Drafts), Presentations (Power-Point or Overhead Transparencies), Handouts/Worksheets (in relation to Presentations), and Final Exam Essays.  However, assistance is not limited to the assignments previously mentioned. 

Tutors place emphasis on original idea development, concise communication of ideas, proper structure and organizational development of the essay, accuracy in grammar, appropriate use of expressions, and comprehension of the differences between written and spoken English.

Interested students can make an appointment with the native English-speaking tutor on Moodle ( https://moodle.ph-ludwigsburg.de/course/view.php?id=1036)

and meet him/her in the Language Support Centre, Room11.029.

 

Oral English Support:

Support Programs for Oral English are provided by native English-speaking tutors in the following areas: Tutorial Oral English Courses, Individualized Conversation Plans, and Oral English Staatsexamen Support. Students have the flexibility to choose which Support Program is most suitable for their particular needs and weaknesses of the English Language.

Tutorial Oral English Courses:

Tutorial Oral English Courses are specifically designed for students enrolled in Mrs. Rodgers’, Pittman`s and Breuer`s  “Developing Advanced Oral Skills“ course.  These courses provide active discussion and conversation in a small group setting with a native English-speaking tutor. Tutorial Oral English Courses meet once a week and an article is usually assigned prior to the meeting for discussion. Active participation is essential and expected in Tutorial Oral English Courses. Interested students will get further information in their “Developing Advanced Oral Skills” courses.

Individualized Conversation Plans:

An Individualized Conversation Plan is a specific format/plan that directly focuses on specific needs for accurate pronunciation of the English Language on a strictly individual basis. (The Individual Conversation Plan is ideal for students scheduled to take their Oral English Staatsexamen or students who wish to improve their English language on a long-term basis). Interested students work cooperatively with the native English-speaking tutor to develop the content of their Individual Conversation Plan. Specific content in the Individalized Conversation Plan can include: annunciation of Word Endings, pronunciation (specifically on the th, w, and v sounds), emphasis on Open Vowels, rhythm (flow of the langugage), vocabulary or grammar.

Students who choose to create an Individual Conversation Plan meet regularly with the native English-speaking tutor and are solely responsible for the material discussed during the meeting.  Students may choose to discuss a topic related to their studies at the PH-Ludwigsburg or assigned readings for their Oral English Staatsexamen. During the meeting, the tutor will make notes about any strengths and weaknesses on a „hard copy“ of the Individualized Conversation Plan. Several minutes before the meeting is over, the tutor and student will review and discuss the notes taken during the meeting for clear understanding of mistakes and discussion. Afterwards, the student receives the  „hard copy“ with notes from the tutor for further self-reflection. Material for self-study or further practice will be provided on moodle or suitable self-study books will be recommended. The student is expected to keep ALL copies of the Individualized Conversation Plan for regular assessment, reflection, and evidence of growth in the English Language.

Interested students should initially contact Frau Rodgers (rodgers(at)ph-ludwigsburg.de) with any questions and then contact the Individual Conversation Plan Tutor at GA_rodgers@ph-ludwigsburg.de to make an appointment to develop an Individualized Conversation Plan. From then on, students will arrange their own working pace. 

 Oral English Staatsexamen Support:

Oral English Staatsexamen Support is available for highly independent, motivated students who intend to take their Oral English Staatsexamen. Initially, students are given a diagnosis to identify their problems within in the English Language. After assessment of the diagnosis, students are provided with or recommended self-study material that provide exercises which focus on accuracy, pronuciation, grammar, and fluency of the English Language. Students are expected to work independently with the provided material and meet regularly with the Oral English Tutor for correction of work, skill development, and assessment of pronunciation.

Interested students should initially register with Mrs. Rodgers (rodgers(at)ph-ludwigsburg.de) and then arrange their own working pace with the tutor. 

Other needs:

Should none of these above mentioned programs fit your needs, you are more than welcome to make suggestions and we will try to support you in any other way!

 

April 2011