When you are confronted with a paper that you’re not sure how to tackle, the following tips may help.
Errors in ESL writing can take many forms. Determine if the errors interfere with meaning or not. Errors that interfere with meaning can be handled differently than errors that don’t. Also, determine which of the errors you can tolerate better than others. For example, you may forgive a problem with articles (a, an, and, the), but find fragments unacceptable.
For errors that don’t interfere with meaning:
Underline errors that interfere with meaning:
If a paper has more errors than you can tolerate, don’t be afraid to stop reading. Draw a line. Tell the student you stopped reading at the line and explain why, highlighting some of the errors you noted. Ask the student to revise the paper before you read it again.
Be aware that some ESL students will plagiarize unintentionally. They probably do not fully understand what plagiarism is and are not aware it is considered intellectual robbery.
In your closing comments, comment on content, organization, and last, on no more than 3 errors the student should work to correct in future papers. If you allow revisions, make students responsible for telling you, in a written memo perhaps, what errors they have paid attention to correcting.
Finally, suggest your students come to the Writing Center. The English Language Institute funds two ESL tutors every semester that are trained to help ESL writers.