Writing Centre Development Writing for Publication
FROM A BAD PAPER TO A PATENT: A CASE STUDY ON COACHING IN ACADEMIA
Alena Kasparkova
VSBTechnical University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, writing lessons at universities are rare as writing skills remain underestimated. Inspired by writing centres abroad, taking various forms and having many functions, the presentation considers coaching, as defined by International Coach Federation, as a tool in academic (writing) progress, possibly to precede academic writing courses, especially if there is low trust in them. The contribution presents a case study of a sixmonth period in the career of an academic. As a consequence of a situation when valuable research was under threat of remaining unpublished due to poor writing skills of the future coachee, the academic English teacher turned into a coach. Involved in a 12month certified training programme, the coach welcomed the opportunity of a possible synergetic effect of offering a different approach and practicing coaching. The frequency was one 60minute session per month. Open questions, various techniques and working with the interim were used to change the coachee's perspective, set goals and encourage her to take responsibility for her actions. As the coachee is accountable for the work, she was enthusiastic about the results, such as personal development, better time management, lodging a patent based on the research included in the original paper, and application for a new project. Additionally, thanks to the trust developed between the coach and the coachee, she has revised her attitude to writing. This presentation may be inspiring for those who are involved in providing individual writing consultations and who may wish to develop further.
References
1. Čmejrková, S. (1994) 'Nonnative (academic) writing'. In: Čmejrková, Světla Daneš, František Havlová, Eva ed. Writing vs Speaking Language: Text, Discourse, Communication . Tübingen: Narr. 303310.
2. Maltarese, V. ed. (2013) Supporting Research Writing: Roles and challenges in multilingual settings. Oxford: Chandos.
3. Silsbee, D. (2010) The Mindful Coach . JosseyBass; 2nd Edition.