Writing & Speaking Learning Assistants

Lead Writing and Speaking Learning Assistant

Elise is a senior at NYU Shanghai majoring in Business and Finance with a concentration in Management and a minor in Chinese Language. Although a business major, she has always been passionate about writing and plans to pursue law school after graduation. As a Writing and Speaking Learning Assistant, Elise specializes in academic writing consultations and enjoys working with students on brainstorming, structure, and clarity. She aims to create a low-pressure environment where students feel comfortable talking through their ideas and building confidence in their work. Outside of class, Elise enjoys traveling and exploring new places whenever she gets the chance. She looks forward to working with students at the ARC!

Writing and Speaking Learning Assistant

Astroyd grew up in Shandong, China. He is a senior at NYU Shanghai, majoring in Humanities with a focus on literature. During his summer session in Berlin and one year studying away in New York, he concentrates on film and dramatic writing. His interests also include fine art and fiction. Since entering college, he has been tutoring Chinese high school students in English learning for essays,  exams, and interviews. With a passion for language learning and the experience of learning German and French in addition to English, he hopes to offer helpful perspectives to students in need. As a WSLA,  he specializes in close reading and textual/visual analysis, striving to provide inspirations that contribute to original ideas of each unique individual.

Writing and Speaking Learning Assistant

Athena is a Junior from Cebu, Philippines. Studying International Relations with minors in Chinese and Business, she has a strong passion for literature, history, and essays. With her strong writing background, she is happy to help students in their literature reviews, in-class essays, final projects, and the like. Beyond academics, she enjoys drawing, baking, and event planning in her free time.

Writing and Speaking Learning Assistant

Denisse (she/her) is a second-year NYU Shanghai student, born and raised in Lima, Peru. She is majoring in IMB and Social Science (Political Economy), with a minor in Chinese. Her academic interests include Latin American history and internet culture, both independently and in their intersections. This past year, her essay on enduring colonial legacies in international legal frameworks earned her a Best Paper nomination and an invitation to present it at IE University in Spain. Denisse is a returning WSLA, having previously assisted in the Fall 2025 semester. She specializes in writing, believing it remains center stage in connecting with others. Helping students is therefore an enjoyable and fulfilling experience for her. In her free time, she enjoys watching video essays, ordering random drinks from 京东, and yapping.

Writing and Speaking Learning Assistant

Grace is a senior majoring in Data Science, and this is her second year working as a Writing and Speaking Learning Assistant. She believes writing is a labor of love, and that its endless possibilities create a space for creative self-expression. Grace takes a collaborative approach in her consultations and uses visual aids such as mind maps to help students organize their thoughts and clarify structure. She looks forward to assisting others with their writing process. In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano and cooking.

Writing and Speaking Learning Assistant

Xiwen Yu is a member of Class 2028. She majors in Data Science with a concentration in Psychology, and she is also pursuing a Dance minor during her university journey. Xiwen is an enthusiastic language learner. Her interest in German football has inspired her to study German in her spare time. She believes that language is a lens through which one views the world. Immersing ourselves in different linguistic environments opens diverse connections to the external world. Working as an English tutor, Xiwen has helped over 30 students, with their presentations, essays and interviews. She is especially attentive to logical coherence and organization in writing and speaking, enjoying helping students develop clear structures and well-supported arguments. Through her experiences in EAP, WAI and PoH courses, Xiwen has gained substantial experience in academic seminars, critical analysis, and argumentative writing. She looks forward to supporting students with any writing or speaking challenges they may encounter in their courses. 

Writing and Speaking Learning Assistant

Brad is a sophomore majoring in Honors Maths and Data Science. He is interested in Optimization and Operation Research in terms of academic research. Besides the content covered by the coursework, he is also passionate about learning languages and has passed the DELF B2 exam of French in December 2025. He is planning to further his study in French and Japanese this semester. As a tutor, he specializes in academic writing and can also address questions raised about EAP.