The Academic Dilemma on the Use of Proof Readers in Academic Assignments

Abstract

It is a well-known idea that Non-Native English Speakers (NNES) often try to find ways to assist writing. Perhaps, the most common assistance would be feedback from their supervisors or support from their peers. However, certain students with means, would go the extra mile of employing proofreaders to help improve their writing. This study is part of a longitudinal narrative study involving five international postgraduate students in a UK university where the theme of proofreader and/or proofreading had become an academic dilemma on whether it should be permitted at all. The findings showed both positive and negative assumptions from the participants. A participant who scored well with the help of proofreaders learnt the university’s writing conventions from her ‘mistakes’. Another participant who was academically weaker however, expected her writing to be ‘translated’ into the university’s writing conventions along with grade improvements. Other participants deemed such gesture as immoral and blamed the university for not banning such services, putting less financially able students at a ‘disadvantage’.