An investigation into the missions and practices of glocal writing centers in the Chinese context: ERPP and EAP-EGP hybrid approaches

Abstract

Chinese higher education internationalization demands effective English for Academic Purposes (EAP) writing support to help Chinese college students engage in academic study and scholarly exchange. Writing centers, a globally prevailing form of U.S.-rooted writing support, have become a promising approach to innovating College English instruction in China. Recognizing the lack of empirical research on writing centers as part of EAP instruction, this study examines the missions and practices of glocal writing centers in China, i.e., indigenous writing centers with Chinese characteristics, by conducting photo elicitation-facilitated, in-depth interviews with writing center directors/founders from eleven Chinese universities. This study reveals two types of Chinese glocal writing centers, namely English for Research Publication Purposes (ERPP) writing centers and English for Academic Purposes-English for General Purposes (EAP-EGP) hybrid writing centers, which are guided by indigenous missions of serving as innovation sites for the EGP-EAP/ESP reform of College English and responding to Chinese higher education internationalization. Additionally, Chinese writing centers distinguish themselves through a range of key practices, for example, the overwhelming preference for faculty tutors, acceptance of proofreading, and expanded writing activities. Implications are offered for implementing and researching writing centers as a glocal practice of EAP writing support in China and beyond.