Author: Barbara Constance, Nicaise Joseph

Abstract: More nationals of Trinidad and Tobago are accessing tertiary education annually. In most instances, they are required to complete a foundations course in English Language. However, many students enter colleges and universities with severe writing deficiencies, often stemming from a deeply ingrained lack of confidence and competence in English as a Foreign Language. To address these deficiencies, The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) established the Writing Centre at the Valsayn Campus, where students can meet with a tutor to help them improve their writing. This paper traces the development of the Writing Centre at Valsayn and addresses the question of whether or not a writing centre can improve students’ writing ability. While formal research must still be engaged in, the paper highlights that the writing centre is a valuable support to the teaching and learning done in language and writing courses.

Keywords: Writing Centre, UTT, Official Language, Pedagogy

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.45.56