Linguistic Bias against ESL Writing?

Abstract

It is a fact that most ESL students’ writing looks different from that of native English speakers. This chapter reviews literature within the field of ESL writing that highlights a preoccupation with linguistic error. It explores published literature that examines how faculty across the university react to ESL students’ writing, including linguistic error. The chapter provides suggestions for resisting linguistic bias against the writing of ESL students. L2 writing is the teaching and study of individuals composing in a language that is not their native language. In the US, some ESL writers enroll in mainstream composition classes, but many enroll in special sections of composition designed for ESL writers. Zawacki and Habib’s work also provides evidence that non-English faculty members feel conflicted but may be open to ESL students’ linguistic differences.