Multilingual Writing Specialist

In addition to consulting the English language and writing resources, students for whom English is an additional language can access academic support offered by our Multilingual Writing Specialist, Professor Natalie Mera Ford. She offers:

One-with-One Meetings: International and domestic multilingual students can meet with Professor Mera Ford at any point in the academic year. This is an opportunity to collaboratively review drafts of your course writing, to discuss language-related questions, or to prepare self-sponsored writing (such as award applications). Please email n ford1@swarthmore.edu to schedule an in-person or Zoom meeting.
Drop-in Office Hours: Multilingual students are encouraged to drop by Professor Mera Ford's office in Trotter 104 on Tuesday and Thursdays from 12:45pm to 1:45pm (or by appointment) to talk about any work-in-progress or communication points. No appointment is necessary! If you would prefer to meet via Zoom or schedule an appointment at another time, please email n ford1@swarthmore.edu.
Workshops & Gatherings: Multilingual students from any class year are invited to join Professor Mera Ford and multilingual peers in group forums that address writing topics from across the disciplines. Come share your experiences, challenges, strategies, questions, and insights. See below for upcoming events.

If you would like to arrange a meeting or to register for upcoming events, please contact Professor Natalie Mera Ford at n ford1@swarthmore.edu.

Tri-college Linguistic Diversity Series

Since 2018, Swarthmore’s Multilingual Writing Specialist Professor Natalie Mera Ford has collaborated with her counterparts at Bryn Mawr and Haverford to develop additional Tri-College resources and community for writers for whom English is an additional language. This partnership led to the Multilingual Writing Specialists designing and facilitating a reading/discussion group series based on themes related to multilingualism and linguistic justice in higher education. Sponsored by Mellon Seed Grants, the interactive workshops have benefited from the participation of more than 100 members of Tri-College faculty, students, and staff in eight meetings over the past three years. Natalie and her Bi-Co colleagues are now launching a fourth year of this work and look forward to exploring further ways to advance and celebrate linguistic diversity and agency in the liberal arts. Please see here for details about past and upcoming workshop focuses. If you would like to join this conversation, please email nford1@swarthmore.edu.

**Multilingual Events Spring 2025**
Fri. Jan. 31, 2025: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Trotter 120 Writing Center	January Monthly Multilingual Forum Reconnect with other multilingual students and the Multilingual Writing Specialist to usher in the new year. For the January gathering, we'll focus on a recently requested topic : How to Achieve Greater Eloquence in Written and Spoken English. If possible, bring a favorite phrase or passage you find eloquent to our exploration of impactful, expressive language. Register at tinyurl.com/swatMLevent* by January 29.
Fri. Feb. 28, 2025: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Trotter 120 Writing Center	February Monthly Multilingual Forum Our focus this month will be on written accent as well as spoken accent -- how varied accents on campus reflect our community's linguistic diversity but also how different responses to written and oral accents can signal ways academia needs to realize greater linguistic equity. Register at tinyurl.com/swatMLevent* by February 26.
Fri. Mar. 28, 2025: 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Trotter 120 Writing Center	March Monthly Multilingual Forum Formal or informal English? Join Swarthmore's Multilingual Specialist, Dr. Natalie Mera Ford, to discuss when and how to shift registers in academic settings. SPECIAL NOTE: The 3/28 forum's lunch will be served from Aria Mediterranean. On the registration form, please select which option you would like (only available if registered by 3/26). Register at tinyurl.com/swatMLevent* by March 26.
Thu. Apr 25, 2025: 2:30p.m. to 3:30p.m. Location: TLC Offices (McCabe Library)	April Monthly Multilingual Forum Join us in celebrating the end of the semester and the academic year's achievements with poetry and tasty treats! Feel free to bring your own poem or translated poetry to share. Tea and snacks will be provided by the Writing Associates Program and from the Ville's own Pastry Pants Bakery! Register at tinyurl.com/swatMLevent* by April 23.