I started grading papers last night. It's been really fucking hectic. I'm going to have to bust ass tonight and all day tomorrow to get stuff ready to hand back by Wednesday.
Last night, I spent two hours, and got three papers graded. Most of that was spent on two papers.
They.
Were.
Terrible.
I could tell from reading the paper that neither student understands spoken English, nor comprehends it written. Nor can they write coherently in it.
No, they don't speak Spanish. They speak Arabic.
I've left each a long, handwritten note on the back page of their paper, and have suggested they go find a tutor.
The rest of their class shouldn't be so much of a challenge.
I have two more, just like 'em, in the other class. We'll see how well that works out.
Mind you, I do not believe that they're all so fucking incompetent in English--the third student I graded also speaks Arabic as a first language, and his paper was MUCH better. I also watched and walked him through the composition of that paper, so I know it's his. Want to know what I think made the difference?
He sought out a tutor to help him before peer review day.
Seriously, can we just give an English competency test as a requirement for college, for both native and foreign exchange students? It would make my job so much easier...
10 minutes ago
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