The WLS provides guidance and support for language learning to all Duke Kunshan students, staff, and faculty. Our coaches can help learners develop plans to improve their language skills; guide them on setting short-term and long-term goals; provide feedback on their learning strategies and language use; recommend resources for independent learning; and help them practice specific language skills, such as reading, listening, pronunciation, and so forth.
We provide coaching services for Mandarin Chinese, English, and several additional languages. When you make an appointment for language coaching, you will be able to select the language you are learning. If the language you want coaching in is not listed, you may select “Other Languages.” You will then be able to make an appointment with a coach who may not have expertise in the specific language you are learning, but the coach will be happy to provide general guidance on your learning plan, goals, and strategies.
We are pleased to be able to offer both face-to-face and online coaching in writing and language learning during the Spring Semester. Leaners can make appointments in our scheduling system. Please see “How to make an appointment” section below for detailed instructions.
First-time users of the WLS for language learning (not English writing) should ideally have an initial consultation with the WLS Coordinator before signing up for a session. Coaching sessions work best when you have specific goals that you are working towards. If you don’t have goals, we can help you set some.
To make an appointment, please visit our online scheduling system.
Step 1: Register your account and log in
Step 2: Schedule an appointment
METHOD 1
METHOD 2
Zoom Tips and Troubleshooting
There are two ways to sign up for a coaching session: (1) through our online scheduling system, or (2) in person at the WLS Office in CC 1068.
You can sign up for writing coaching or for language coaching in Mandarin Chinese, English, or another language listed in the online scheduling system. Language coaching sessions could focus on, for example, speaking and listening, presentation skills, pronunciation, reading, vocabulary, and/or grammar. For languages that are not listed in the system, you are welcome to sign up for an “Other Languages” coaching session, in which the coach can provide general guidance on learning plans, goals, and strategies for a language that they may not have expertise in.
You may sign up for a 30-minute or a 60-minute coaching session. All coaching sessions include time at the end of the session to review and summarize the work that was done. For example, a 30-minute session includes a maximum of 25 minutes for coaching, with 5 minutes for the coach to complete a session summary with the learner.
Appointments must be made at least 5 hours before the start time. You can make appointments up to 14 days in advance.
At this time, you may sign up for a maximum of 90 minutes per week.
Our coaching sessions are more productive when you have specific goals that you are working towards. If you haven’t set any goals, we can help you do so. The appointment form will also guide you towards identifying one or more goals for your session. For writing coaching sessions, we are happy to help you wherever you are in your writing process. First-time users of the WLS for language coaching (not English writing) should ideally have an initial consultation with the WLS Coordinator before signing up for a session.
If you weren’t able to make an appointment in advance but would still like to meet with a coach, you may be able to have a walk-in session, depending on coach availability. Please email the WLS (DKU_WLS@dukekunshan.edu.cn) or visit the WLS Coordinator, Jianxuan Zhang, in CC 1068. She will direct you to an available coach. Note: Walk-in coaching is not available online.
Please don’t make an appointment unless you intend to keep it. But if you must cancel, please note that appointments must be cancelled at least 5 hours in advance (except in the case of emergencies) to open the time slot to others.
If you have questions about or need help understanding a class assignment, the first thing you should do is talk to your professor. If you need additional help on a class assignment, you may bring the assignment to a coaching session. Coaches will provide you guidance on the skills you need to complete the assignment, or feedback on presentations, but they will not complete, edit, check, or proofread assignments for you. If you would like a coach to help you with a writing assignment, please schedule an appointment at least four hours before the assignment is due so that you have enough time to work on the writing after the coaching session; it’s best to schedule your writing appointment at least a day before the writing assignment is due.
No. For course-related questions or help with assignments from them, go to their office hour. But you may make WLS appointments with them for help with assignments from other courses or for other language learning or writing coaching. (And you may always make WLS appointments with other coaches!)
We are happy to answer specific questions about an essay that you are working on. However, we do not provide editing or proofreading services. Our goal is to help you develop the skills you need to examine and improve your own writing.
At the end of your coaching session, your coach will work with you to write a brief summary of your session. This summary will be emailed to you, and you may share it with your professor if you want to.
WLS coaches can help you develop your writing skills, but they cannot guarantee your grades on writing assignments. Because DKU courses and writing assignments have a wide range of learning objectives, it is not possible for writing coaches to assess your writing assignments or give any indication of what grade you might receive. If you want to know more about what the expectations are for A-level work on any of your assignments, talk to your course professor.
Courses at DKU and writing assignments have a wide range of learning objectives. Your course professors are the ones who will determine how they assess your writing assignments and give you grades. Just as one professor can’t change grades for a course they are not teaching, WLS coaches also can’t grade your papers. Our coaches will not comment on grades you receive on your papers. We can help you determine how to respond to feedback you receive on your writing, but if you need help interpreting the feedback you receive from a professor on an assignment, or if you have a question about a grade you have received, you need to talk to your course professor as they are the one who has determined the learning objectives and expectations for their assignments.
According to the WLS policy, if it’s your first time requesting account reactivation, you need to come to CC 1068 and find the WLS coordinator (DKU_WLS@dukekunshan.edu.cn) to explain the reasons for no-shows; if it’s a second time, you need to schedule a meeting with Prof. Kristin Hiller (kristin.hiller@dukekunshan.edu.cn), the director of the WLS, to discuss reactivation of your account.
Unfortunately, you cannot attend the appointment because it violates WLS policies, and your appointment will be canceled accordingly.
