Professionalization in Action: Plenary Talks

Six plenary speakers were invited to the 2014 Symposium. Tony Silva (Purdue University) opened the conference with his discussion of the current state of affairs in higher education regarding international students. In his speech, “Reflections of a Post-Mid-Career L2 Writing Professional on the Ever-Increasing Challenges of Working at a Large Public Research University in the United States: Facing the Specter of Deprofessionalization,” Dr. Silva demonstrated that international students, while being heavily recruited to fund a hurting U.S. higher education system, might not be getting the language support that their higher tuition fees could be paying for. Also on the first day, Susan Miller-Cochran’s (North Carolina State University) plenary speech complemented Dr. Silva’s as she spoke about how to put prominent position statements from Conference on College Composition and Communication and Writing Program Administration in conversation with each other and with scholarship on second language writers.

On the second day, Lawrence Zhang (University of Auckland) and Dwight Atkinson (University of Arizona) gave their plenary speeches. In “Pedagogical Imports of Western Practices for Professionalizing Second Language Writing and Writing Teacher Education,” Dr. Zhang spoke about the international aspects of professionalization through case studies of two teachers who did not speak BANA (British, American, New Zealander, or Australian) varieties of English. Later that day, Dr. Atkinson stressed the importance of adequately preparing doctoral students for research in “Doctoral Studies as Professional Development in Second Language Writing.”

On the third and final day, Deborah Crusan (Wright State University) and Christine Tardy (University of Arizona) delivered their plenary speeches. Dr. Crusan spoke about her experience with the impostor syndrome in the field of SLW. Her speech, “Fake It 'Til You Make It: The Imposter Syndrome—the Dilemma of (Women) Academics” encouraged anyone in the room suffering from feelings of inadequacy to speak up and overcome them through strategies and camaraderie. Dr. Tardy then finished the conference with her plenary talk, “Representations of Professionalization in Second Language Writing: A View from the Flagship Journal,” which outlined the trajectory of the field’s professionalization as found through the Journal of Second Language Writing. She noted that exchanges between authors and editorial board members have changed in that authors situate their work differently, and editorial board members evaluate work in the field of SLW differently as a result of the increased maturation of the field.

Each plenary talk was thought-provoking and inspiring to L2 writing scholars at all stages in their careers.

Christine Tardy’s plenary speech. Photo by Seckin Gorucu.

New for 2014: Institute and Lunch Seminar

To facilitate the professionalization of the field, especially for early- and midcareer L2 writing specialists, the symposium introduced two new features: the Second Language Writing Institute and the Lunch Seminar.

The Institute, held before the conference on Thursday morning, featured 2-hour workshops by invited presenters Cristyn Elder, Dana Ferris, Paul Kei Matsuda, Susan Miller-Cochran, Shirley K. Rose, and Christopher Tancock. Topics ranged from early career concerns, such as demystifying the process of going on the job market; to midcareer issues of creating a sustainable research program, perfecting presentations, and publishing; to maturing career events, including consulting and writing program administration. The Institutes provided attendees with an additional opportunity for ongoing education. Presenter Dana Ferris said, “The session was lively and interactive, and the participants were very engaged.”

The Lunch Seminar on the third day provided a casual space for drop-in mentoring and networking for SLW scholars anywhere in their career path. Designed with a “speed-dating” format, the participants were encouraged to visit all of the volunteer mentors seated at different tables during lunch. The mentors who volunteered their time for this event were Dwight Atkinson, John Bitchener, Deborah Crusan, Dana Ferris, Mark A. James, Paul Kei Matsuda, Christine Pearson Casanave, Tony Silva, Neomy Storch, Christine Tardy, and Lawrence Zhang.

Both of these new events were highlights of the conference for many attendees. We hope both the Institute and the Lunch Seminar will be offered and featured in future symposia.

Notable Collaborations and Presentations

In the professional spirit of reaching out to other organizations, this year’s SSLW also featured invited sessions by representatives from various organizations, including the Second Language Writing Interest Section (TESOL); the Standing Group on Second Language Writing (CCCC); The National Association of English Writing, Teaching, and Research, China; and the European Association for the Teaching of Academic Writing (EATAW). These sessions were invaluable to the symposium for their unique perspectives and orientations.

Another notable session was the open discussion session, “L2 Writing Apocalypse and the Future of the Profession” led by Paul Kei Matsuda. In a vigorous discussion, it was concluded that indeed the future of the profession is bright. Professionals from all walks of life and corners of the world, as well as levels of professionalization, contributed to this lively event.

Dr. Cristyn Elder (left) engages Dr. Paul Kei Matsuda (right) in the open discussion during “L2 Writing Apocalypse.” Photo by Seckin Gorucu.

SSLW, as a more intimate conference, also exhibited 10 invited colloquia, 4 featured presentations, 180 papers, and 10 workshops. The Symposium’s personal feel encouraged many to attend and participate. For example, Cristyn Elder (University of New Mexico) said about her involvement in the institute that, “When I was a graduate student, I had great mentoring for the job market and the next stage in my own career, so it was a great honor for me to help pay it forward, so to speak.” Newer members in the L2 writing community also reported their feelings of amazement “being surrounded by so many like-minded professionals.” First-time attendee Daniel Wilber (Boise State University) continued:

The presentations, keynote speakers, and hallway conversations collectively revealed how important it is to build a close-knit community and just how far we have to go towards understanding our work and the individuals we work to help. I am so glad I came!

Looking Ahead: SSLW 2015

This calendar year will host the 14th Symposium on Second Language Writing in Auckland, New Zealand. Organized by John Bitchener (Auckland University of Technology) and his conference committee, SSLW 2015 will speak to the theme “Learning to Write for Academic Purposes: Advancing Theory, Research and Practice.” We look forward to keynote addresses from Ken Hyland, Rosa Manchón, and Paul Kei Matsuda, as well as 30-minute sessions with a number of invited speakers who will share “hands-on, practice-focused” experiences on various issues that L2 teachers and students encounter in day-to-day practice. The SSLW 2015 website is up and running—check out key dates and more info as it is added.

Thank you to all who participated in 2014 in continuing to make the Symposium on Second Language Writing a success.

Katherine Daily O’Meara (SSLW 2014 Assistant Co-Chair) is a 4th-year PhD candidate at Arizona State University. She is the current associate director of second language writing in the ASU Writing Programs. She has designed/instituted a graduate-level academic L2 writing course and an L2 writing tutor internship for M-TESOL students. Kat’s dissertation is an institutional ethnography of L2 writing teachers that explores intersections among the transdisciplinary fields of rhetoric and composition, writing program administration, and second language writing.

Sarah Elizabeth Snyder (Clavell) (SSLW 2014 Assistant Co-Chair) is a 2nd-year PhD student at Arizona State University, where she serves as the assistant director of second language writing in the ASU Writing Programs. She teaches composition and language support courses for international students and supports the L2 Writing Teacher practicum. Sarah’s interests are in administration of second language writing programs and retention of underserved student populations.