THE WRITING AND SPEECH CENTRE: Write well, speak well. By Brenda Wambua The Writing and Speech Centre (WSC) is an initiative of the School of Communication, Language and Performing Arts at Daystar University. It has two centres: one in Nairobi Campus (DAC, 6th floor) and the other in Athi River (BCC). The centres which were founded in the year 2000 was the brainchild of Dr. Ann Miller, supported by Elsie and Fred Scaife, who worked at Daystar University for a number of years. At the WSC, there are trained peer tutors who are students in Daystar University. They offer assistance to fellow students at all levels of study; from diploma to Ph.D. Lecturers also visit the centre for assistance. The tutors go through a semester of training (ENG/COM 415) taught by lecturers from the School. The tutors are supervised by the coordinator of the Centre, Ms. Brenda Wambua. They offer various services to the entire Daystar student community, including assistance with skills in public speaking, writing as well as basic grammar concepts. Almost all students in Daystar University require assistance at WSC at some point, especially when they are taking Com 223 (Public Speaking), ENG 112 (Advanced Writing) and any other assignment requiring writing of term papers. International students taking ENG 096 and ENG 098 also go to WSC for help with learning English (both spoken and written). The WSC organizes both Public Speaking Contests (we have organized three so far) and Essay Writing Contests (we have organized two so far). These contests have attracted participants from the entire student body. Through the contests, students get a chance to showcase their speaking and writing prowess and the winners receive rather coveted prizes: cash, modems, phones, pens, T-shirts, notebooks, just to mention a few. In addition, each participant receives a certificate. These events have attracted a number of sponsors: The Standard Group, Airtel Kenya, Safaricom Ltd, Telkom Kenya - Orange, DHL Express, among others. Some of the judges we have invited to the events include Prof. Hellen Walker, a professor of writing from Messiah College, Pennyslvania; Mr Ian Mbugua, a thespian and a teacher; Mr. Robert Burale, an image consultant; Mr. George Mlaghui, Chief Corporate Communications Officer at Telkom Kenya - Orange who is also a WSC Alumni, among others. Over the last few years, an increasing number of MA and Ph.D students have sought help at the centre in Nairobi, which has an MA student tutor, Wangeci Kanyeki. A number of lecturers too refer their students to the centres. Unlike most other work study students, the peer-tutors also work in the evenings in Athi River, especially towards the end of the semesters, because students visiting the centre increase as the deadlines for assignments draw closer. The peer tutors are self driven, motivated, hard working and disciplined. The services offered at the WSC are free. The peer tutors demonstrate a high degree of integrity in that they do not take money from students. Their job is to give guidance regarding writing and speaking but not to do assignments for students. Sometimes students who do not want to do their work offer tidy sums of money to the peer tutors to do the work for them. However, the tutors always turn down the offers and state clearly that their services are free. Alumni who were WSC tutors have also credited their experience at the centre for enhancing their leadership and editing skills in the work place. This is a place that every student and staff of Daystar University should visit. Welcome all to the Writing and Speech Centre. 70 • DaystarConnect 2015
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