Teaching ESL/EFL writing to young learners

Summary

This presentation explores the significance of teaching writing in schools, emphasizing its role as a fundamental skill in language development. It covers various theoretical perspectives on writing, its integration into the curriculum, and its importance for language learning. The session discusses the sub-skills required for effective writing, ranging from letter formation to text organization. The curriculum views writing both as a means of expressing ideas and as a tool for language learning. It also highlights different types of writing activities, from controlled to free writing, and suggests strategies for improving students' writing skills, stressing systematic, purposeful learning.

Takeaways

• 😀 Writing is often neglected in education because it requires more effort compared to speaking, but it is crucial for language development.
• 😀 Writing is a complex skill that involves forming letters, choosing words, spelling, punctuation, organizing ideas logically, and creating coherent texts.
• 😀 Writing is considered a productive skill, alongside speaking, and plays a vital role in language acquisition and communication.
• 😀 The English curriculum emphasizes writing both as a tool for expressing ideas and as a means for language learning (vocabulary, grammar, etc.).
• 😀 Good writing skills are essential for academic success and real-world communication, making it crucial not to neglect writing in education.
• 😀 The concept of literacy today is more complex and includes digital and multimodal texts, not just traditional writing.
• 😀 Students should be taught to recognize and work with different genres of writing, such as storytelling, reports, and letters, as each genre has distinct norms.
• 😀 Controlled writing activities (e.g., tracing, copying) help students develop foundational skills like orthography and motor control in writing.
• 😀 Guided writing activities (e.g., filling in missing words, parallel writing) help students practice writing with support and structure.
• 😀 Free writing activities encourage independent thought and creativity, allowing students to express ideas with minimal guidance.
• 😀 Writing strategies such as planning, spelling checks, understanding genre-specific vocabulary, and considering audience and purpose are essential for improving writing skills.

Q & A

Why is writing often neglected in teaching according to Jeremy Harmer?

Jeremy Harmer suggests that writing is often neglected because it requires teachers and learners to make special efforts, making it more challenging compared to other skills like speaking.

What are the two main ways to view writing in the context of language learning?

Writing can be viewed in two ways: as a productive skill, related to expressing ideas and opinions in a coherent manner, and as a tool for language learning, involving orthography, vocabulary, and linguistic structures.

What does the curriculum say about writing as a skill?

The curriculum states that writing is a fundamental skill in the subject, essential for both expressing ideas and opinions, and for language learning. It is also highlighted as a skill that students will need to master.

What are some of the sub-skills required to master writing?

Writing requires sub-skills such as forming letters, selecting appropriate vocabulary, spelling and punctuation, creating logically structured texts, and organizing ideas into coherent wholes.

How is the concept of literacy viewed today compared to traditional views?

Today, literacy is seen as more complex than simply being able to read and write. It now includes creating and interpreting multimodal texts, such as using images, emojis, and digital tools, reflecting the shift in how writing is practiced in the digital age.

What is the relationship between genre and writing according to Harmer?

Harmer emphasizes that genre is closely tied to literacy, as different genres have distinct norms and expectations. Teachers should help students become aware of these genres as they progress in writing.

How does the curriculum divide the role of writing?

The curriculum divides writing into two roles: one for creating meaning through text and the other as a tool for language learning, helping students practice and understand the language.

What are the three types of writing activities mentioned in the presentation?

The three types of writing activities are controlled writing, guided writing, and free writing. Controlled writing activities focus on basic skills like copying words, while guided writing involves more structured tasks, and free writing allows students to write independently.

What is the significance of writing strategies in teaching writing?

Writing strategies are essential because they help students consciously plan, write, and reflect on their writing. Strategies like planning, checking spelling, considering genre-specific vocabulary, and comparing languages can enhance students' writing proficiency.

What is the importance of systematic writing instruction according to the presentation?

Systematic writing instruction is crucial because it helps students develop their writing skills in a structured and consistent manner, leading to better results. John Hattie’s research supports the idea that systematic learning improves overall skills and knowledge.