Below is a list of support resources relevant to students who are taking English courses at Langara College. The following links cover a wide range of topics, including academic advising, university-level writing, research strategies, grammar, and other skills and strategies aimed at encouraging student success in English (and other classes).
Writing/Learning Resources
Langara Writing Centre
The Langara Writing Centre offers free one-on-one writing help on a drop-in basis (no appointment necessary). Tutoring sessions are usually about 20 minutes long. If all tutors are busy working with other students, we try to give everyone waiting a good ten minute tutorial. Located at the south end on the 1st floor of the Langara Library and Learning Commons, the Writing Centre offers students an opportunity to receive help with their assignments at any stage of the writing process. Although the Writing Centre is run by the English Department, students can get help with assignments from any class they are taking at Langara.
WriteAway
WriteAway is an online writing help service offered by a partnership of BC colleges and universities and free to Langara students. WriteAway tutors will assist by providing feedback on undergraduate-level draft course-related writing assignments. Feedback on your writing is usually within 48 hours although during peak times, it may take longer.
Student Success Workshops
Langara offers a series of student success workshops each semester. These workshops are free for Langara students to attend and do not require registration. Topics for workshops range from lessons on how to writer better notes to how to manage exam anxiety.
AskAway
Need help with citations or have a question about research or academic journal databases, but you’re not on campus to speak to a librarian in person? No problem! AskAway is an online chat service operated by BC and Yukon postsecondary library professionals who are there to give you assistance with library-related issues.
Academic Honesty/Avoiding Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a serious offence at Langara and other postsecondary institutions. Students need to be aware of the definition of plagiarism and avoid it at all costs. The Langara library offers videos and resources to help you understand and avoid plagiarism.
English Department Approved Tutors
Getting help when you need it is the smart thing to do, but you need to make sure you are getting help from the right person. The English department has a list of approved tutors posted on the bulletin board outside A202c
General College Resources
International Education Drop-In Academic Advising
Have questions about pre-requisites, transfer credit, or registration regarding your English courses or your college courses in general? Come visit the IE office to speak to an International Student Counsellor.
Counselling Services
The Langara Counselling Department responds to the needs of students by encouraging their educational success and personal growth. The counsellors are professionals trained to provide a variety of confidential counselling services, including helping students adjust to college life or manage stress, to help students take control of their academic and personal lives.
English Registration FAQ
If you have questions specific to registration in English classes, check out our Frequently Asked Questions page. If you can’t find the answer there, contact the English Department chair.
External Resources
Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
One of the most well-used online writing resources available to academics and students, “the Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University houses writing resources and instructional material, and we provide these as a free service of the Writing Lab at Purdue. Students, members of the community, and users worldwide will find information to assist with many writing projects.” The Purdue OWL is particularly useful for its research and citation guides.
GrammarCheck
GrammarCheck is an online grammar and writing resource that offers entertaining infographics to help explain writing issues, grammar errors, and quirks of the English language.
Daily Grammar
Daily Grammar is a website dedicated to offering grammar lessons and quizzes. The site also includes a handy glossary of grammar terms.
Wordiness, Wordiness, Wordiness List
Created by G. Kim Blank from the University of Victoria, this website provides a comprehensive, and alphabetized, list of wordiness errors to help your writing stay concise.
Grammar Bytes!
Grammar Bytes! is a fun online resource for grammar lessons and exercises.
Dave’s ESL Café
With lessons and quizzes designed for students whose first language is not English, Dave’s ESL Café also offers multiple discussion forums where individuals can ask grammar-related questions.
Grammar Girl
Grammar Girl is an online writing resource that covers “grammar rules and word choice guidelines that can confound even the best writers.” The website offers “memory tricks to help you recall and apply those troublesome grammar rules.”
Language Portal of Canada
The Canadian government offers grammar and language quizzes through the Language Portal of Canada, which may be particularly useful for students working toward Canadian citizenship.