Localizing second language writing pedagogy in a skills-integrated program in Brazil
Isabela Villas BoasSílvia Caldas
Focus on writing can range from a mere “backup” for grammar teaching to a major syllabus strand
in its own right. (Harmer, 2004: 31)
Approaches to teaching writing
Product
Process
Genre
Product Approach
“Controlled Composition” or “Current-traditional Approach”
Writing seen as a linear process
Students write Teacher corrects and grades
Process ApproachWriting is seen as a recursive process
Group work is emphasized
Students should be allowed to choose topics
The teacher is a facilitator who provides feedback to students
The social dimension of writing is emphasized
Stages of the process approach
Post-process framework
Balance between process and product (Reid, 2001)
Classroom community and participation of students in the construction of their writing and that of others (Reid, 2001)
Genre-based approaches as a complement to process writing (Hyland, 2003)
Post-process era: recognition of the multiplicity of L2 writing theories and pedagogies (Matsuda, 2003)
Writing involves the mediation between the writer and the reader.
Audience and discourse community determine knowledge.
“Genres are forms of life, ways of being. They are frames for social action, the place where meaning is constructed.”
(Bazerman, 2006)
Do you recognize these genres?
Once upon a time, ....TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERNThe purpose of this .... is to ....First, pour...A fiften-year old male was arrested last night while he was ...Love, ...BTW, plz ... LOLIt was found that, among the subjects studied, 89%...
Provides students with systematic explanations of how texts exercise their communicative functions.
(Hyland, 2007)
Genre Approach
Goes beyond the planning-writing-revising framework
Focuses on the linguistic resources writers need to communicate effectively rather than merely on writing strategies
Process-genre approach at CTJ
Process approach without losing sight of final product
Use of texts in different genres for analysis and as models
Awareness-raising of linguistic features of different genres
Explicit teaching of rhetorical patterns and conventions
All stages of the writing process (especially planning)
The gap
CHALLENGES
Tensions between writing approaches at CTJ and other schooling
Teachers’ lack of familiarity and training in process writing
Tensions in teacher and student perceptions of drafting
Provision of consistent and effective feedback to students
Tips for effective peer revision
Model the activity by revising pieces of writing with the whole class.
Begin by having students give feedback on anonymous writing, as they do not feel comfortable ‘criticizing’ their peer’s writing. After a while, they see that feedback is not necessarily criticism.
Begin with short checklists and expand the tasks gradually, until they can be more open-ended.
Vary the focus and the format of the peer review activity.
Use peer review sheets instead of having students write on their peer’s paper.
Be patient. Teaching students how to give and receive feedback takes time. They will be very reluctant in the beginning, as peer revision is not part of their educational experience. If the teacher is persistent, students eventually incorporate it as a natural step in a writing lesson.
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