Resources

Well-Being in the time of COVID-19

KPU's response
For information about Kwantlen's response to COVID-19, including lists of resources and information, please visit the KPU Information and Response page. Please note: Since Summer 2020 will be delivered online, students may have questions about the technological resources and help that they will need to navigate online coursework. You're required to have a tablet or computer and access to stable Internet to complete courses and access KPU services. While a smartphone can be used in combination with these devices, it will not meet the requirement on its own. If you can't meet these requirements, you should not be enrolled in the Summer 2020 semester. We recommend that you withdraw from all courses by May 10 in order to receive a full refund of tuition fees.

KPU Covid-19 Emergency Bursary
Funded by the Kwantlen Student Association (KSA) and KPU, the KPU Covid-19 Emergency Bursary is now available via KPU Student Awards and Financial Assistance. 

Housing
The Vancouver Tenants Union has put together a list of COVID-19 BC Rent Resources for those who are struggling to pay rent or secure housing. The BC government has launched a Temporary Rent Supplement. You can find the application and FAQ sheets in several languages here.

Government Programs
The federal government has launched an Emergency Response Benefit for people facing unemployment. You can apply for the benefit via a secure web portal beginning in early April. The Government of Canada has also launched Study Grants and Student Emergency Benefits. The Government of British Columbia has recently launched a new BC Access Grant which will launch in September 2020 for all those eligible to receive student loans.

International Students
Visit the KPU International COVID-19 Response Page for plenty of information and advice for International students including information about the KPU International Emergency Fund. This page also has a very helpful guide about food insecurity that lists all of the local foodbanks and their hours and information (open to all residents). International students can take part in virtual International Student Orientation.

Mental Health & Wellness
The Government of British Columbia has launched Here2Talk, a mental health counselling and referral service for postsecondary students. The 24/7 service provides students who are dealing with issues such as depression, anxiety, and relationship issues with confidential, free, single-session service by app, phone, or online chat. Another program available to you is that KPU collaboration with keep.meSAFE. This program provides a 24/7 Mental Health Student Support . All KPU students have 24/7 access to multilingual counsellors who can provide immediate support and referral to address a range of concerns. Download the app or call 1.844.451.9700. Finally, Thrive at KPU offers a host of links and resources for the whole student, focusing on emotional wellness, financial wellness, mental wellness, physical wellness, social wellness, and spiritual wellness.

Foodbanks
The Kwantlen Student Association Food Bank is closed, but FoodbanksBC offers information about Foodbanks across the province, including the Surrey Foodbank (see also: KPU International page linked above).

Textbooks
The KPU bookstore is closed, but they are supplying materials through online ordering using curbside pick-up and Canada Post Delivery. Remember to check with your instructor about your textbooks!

Technology Resources

Since Summer 2020 will be delivered online, students may have questions about the technological resources and help that they will need to navigate online coursework. You're required to have a tablet or computer and access to stable Internet to complete courses and access KPU services. While a smartphone can be used in combination with these devices, it will not meet the requirement on its own. If you can't meet these requirements, you should not be enrolled in the Summer 2020 semester. We recommend that you withdraw from all courses by May 10 in order to receive a full refund of tuition fees.

• All students have access to Office 365, which includes Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and Excel. Students can download these programs for free (mobile versions included).
• Since KPU uses Moodle as our Learning Management System, all students will need to use Moodle. Students can learn all the basics about Moodle on the Moodle 101 page.
• For general help, students can visit the IT Resources for Students page.
• The IT Department has also increased WiFi accessibility in outdoor areas as well, like some of the campus parking lots, so students can remain in their cars, or have increased space for physical distancing outdoors, while online.
• Students can use computers in the library during the library's reduced hours. While the library does not currently have laptops for loan, students can fill out this survey about laptop loans to add themselves to a waitlist. 

 

Writing Resources

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Virtual Writing Centre
Need clarification on some of the trickier points of grammar?  Searching for tips to improve your next writing assignment?  No problem!  Log in using your student number and password (or just click on "guest access") to visit our Virtual Writing Centre and find an array of resources, including step-by-step grammar information and self-guided grammar exercises with answer keys to help you practice. You will also find guides on many different aspects of writing that you will encounter at university, including writing about literature, formatting and citations (MLA), essay structure, writing in the disciplines, analyzing texts, and editing. No matter what program or course you are taking, from English to Psychology to Business, you'll find information to help you improve your written assignments.

Learning Centre English Tutors
For one-on-one help, make an online appoint at KPU’s Learning Centres. You can a make an online appointment with one of the English Department faculty tutors or peer tutors. They won’t write your essay for you, and they can’t edit work that you’ll be subsequently submitting for grades, but they can help you understand the feedback you receive in your English courses and suggest strategies to improve your performance. The Learning Centres offer a host of workshops, handouts and online resources.

Online Tutoring
KPU’s Learning Centres also offer Online Tutoring. Just log in, submit your draft assignments through their online platform, and expect feedback from trained online tutors. Online tutoring is also available through the KPU Learning Centre’s connection to the WriteAway program. WriteAway offers KPU students free online tutoring through a network of BC post-secondary institutions.

KPU Library Resources
We are fortunate to have not only an impressive collection of research materials available through our KPU Library system, but also--and maybe the most important--a friendly, helpful and well-informed staff ready to help with your research questions. The KPU Coast Capital Library web site is your portal to research. It also offers comprehensive subject guides, including a guide for English that includes information on subjects as diverse as academic honesty, finding and evaluating resources, and academic writing. The library is currently running on reduced hours and reduced services, so make sure that you check the Library's COVID-19 Response Page before heading there. 

Students and faculty can also learn about the KPU Coast Capital Library's new acquisitions of books that relate to English literature and criticism. 

First-Year Writing Labs (ON HIATUS UNTIL FALL 2020- Please check back for updates)
While you are taking English 1100, 1202 or 1204, you are eligible--and more than welcome--to get free extra help from our expert instructors. Whether you need to craft more effective sentence structures, or to put together a critical essay, the First-Year Writing Labs offered by English Department faculty can guide you through the process. Look for lab information in your ENGL1100 and 1200-level classes, find a lab time that suits your schedule, and register to ensure your seat! Online sign up starts the first week of the semester.

Understanding Academic Honesty
Avoiding plagiarism is a key factor in your academic success, and any of the resource persons you connect with will be able to talk about it with you.  Indeed, the University policy on Academic Honesty is a required part of all official course presentation (syllabus) materials. One way to avoid academic honesty is to understand the ins and outs of citation styles as explained by this handy library web site. The KPU Library also offers a guide to help you identify and understand academic dishonesty as well as an online workshop where you can earn a digital badge to show you’ve learned what you need to know about using sources in an academic setting.

General Resources

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Advising
Your English course requirements are just part of a bigger picture that you need to understand in order to ensure you’re putting together an academic program that works for you. Academic Advisors are available to give you guidance and direction, including program guidelines and transfer specifications, as you plot your journey. The academic advising office offers group workshops as well as individual appointments with advisors on all four campuses. You can make an appointment using Advisor Connect.

Arts Advising
If you are an Arts student, it’s a great idea to be in touch with an Arts Advisor, who can tell you what you need to know about the Arts program you wish to pursue. Arts Advising offers drop in hours and appointments on the Surrey and Richmond campuses. You can make an appointment using Advisor Connect. 

Early Alert
During the semester, if an instructor is concerned about your progress, he or she may use the Early Alert Response System (EARS) to connect you with student services who will work with you confidentially to find additional resources or supports, such as academic advising, tutoring, financial aid, or counselling.

Counselling
KPU Counselling provides confidential services to students on a range of issues such as adjustment to post-secondary studies; careers; addiction, anxiety, depression, and grief; stress management; and relationships and family. Counselling offers individual appointments, online tips for students and their families, and a peer support program. KPU counsellors are also here to assist students in crisis and make referrals for specialized help.

Questions about the English Department
For other questions about the English Program, feel free to look around our web site to discover information about our first-year courses, our Major and Minor programs, and list of exciting electives that will fit with your interests. If you have specific questions about our Major and Minor Programs, our first year courses or prerequisite waivers, please use our Contact Page.

External Resources: Writing

Online Writing Lab (OWL) (Purdue University)
One of the most used writing resources on the web, 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.”

Hypergrammar (University of Ottawa)
“HyperGrammar is an online grammar textbook which gives a thorough review of the parts of speech and the standard rules of syntax, spelling, word choice, paragraphing and organization. Review tests with explanations are also available.”

The Wordiness, Wordiness, Wordiness List (UVic)
G. Kim Blank's Wordiness List at the University of Victoria offers tips (and a giant list) to help you fight wordiness and make your writing clearer and more concise. 

Chomp Chomp
For "grammar with attitude," try your hand at Chomp Chomp's array of online exercises.  

Guide to Grammar and Writing (Capitol Community College)

Full of great tutorials, this website provides everything from the basic parts of speech all the way to writing the Argumentative essay and using proper MLA format. This site also contains excellent powerpoints focused on grammar.

*For more writing help, our Virtual Writing Centre page links to a host of other external writing sites.