exploring and re-imagining second language writing in tesol
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Exploring and Re-imagining Second Language Writing in TESOL. Erik Johnson, Arizona State University Todd Ruecker , University of Texas El Paso Shawna Shapiro, Middlebury College Christine Tardy, DePaul University. Second Language Writing IS members approved in June 2005. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Exploring and Re-imagining Second Language Writing in TESOL
Erik Johnson, Arizona State UniversityTodd Ruecker, University of Texas El PasoShawna Shapiro, Middlebury CollegeChristine Tardy, DePaul University
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Second Language Writing IS membersapproved in June 2005
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Feb. 2010
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
OtherPrimary
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SLW-IS(http://www.tesol.org)
The SLWIS aims to facilitate communication about writing across teaching levels and settings.
…the SLWIS provides the opportunity to initiate more research and scholarship in these underrepresented contexts by supporting new collaborations and partnerships across levels and by providing a forum for discussing shared experiences.
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Common topics in TESOL 2009 SLW-IS sessions
•Feedback•Generation 1.5•Writing Center
•Writing in EFL Contexts•Research Methods
•Assessment
Focus is primarily on higher education, including IEPs, First Year Writing, Writing
Centers, and graduate students
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Goal of surveyTo help the SLW-IS address the goals set out by its mission by identifying the interests and needs related to L2 writing of TESOL members from a broad spectrum of educational levels and geographic regions
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Survey design•Fall 2009: Completed two cycles of
piloting and revising survey, based on responses from TESOL professionals working in a range of contexts
•January 2010: Survey sent by Central Office to 2,000 TESOL members, proportionately representative of all Interest Sections
•Total of 456 respondents
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Respondents’ teaching location
TESOL membership75.6% from USA3.9% from Japan2.8% from Canada1.4% from Mexico.8% from Brazil
Survey population65.3% (224) from USA4.4% (15) from Japan3.5% (12) from Canada1.7% (6) from Mexico1.4% (5) from each:
China, South Korea, & Thailand
(top 5 countries by percentage of representation)
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Respondents’ “linguistic context” (role of English in country)
020406080
100
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Respondents’ institutional context6.50%
3.70%
10.70%
18.40%
46.90%
6.90%4.00% 3.00%
Elementary school: 6.5%Middle school: 3.7%Secondary school: 10.7%2-year or vocational postsecondary: 18.4%4-year or graduate: 46.9%Private language school: 6.9%Community/faith-based organization: 4%Workplace: 3%
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Respondents’ IS memberships
Adult Education
Applied Linguistics
English as a Foreign Language
Higher Education
Intensive English Programs
L2 Writing
Secondary Schools
Teacher Education
0% 5% 10% 15% 20%
Percentage of respondents who identified pri-marily with a certain IS (only percentages over
5% reported)
TESOL's dataOur data
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Students’ purposes for learning EnglishInstitutional requirement;
13.2%
Professional purposes; 17.3%
Social/recreational purposes;
1.0%Life/survival skills; 12.9%
Academic purposes;
55.6%
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Importance of writing“Very important”- 77% overallInstitutional Setting
▫ 84% K-12▫ 82% 4-year▫ 79% 2-year
Linguistic Setting▫ 84% Eng dominant and/or English medium of
instruction▫ 59% EFL
“Somewhat important” – 20% overallNot important- < 3%
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Writing may be less important, because…[1] It's far more important that my students
speak the language, read it and understand it. Writing is the least asked for skill…
[2] Once choice isn't appropriate. Depends on learner goals.
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Writing for academic success
[3] Writing skills very much support students' success in all of their current and future coursework.
[4] My students are required to pass a proficiency test in writing…which determines whether or not they graduate.
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Writing for survival and general success[5] Writing …has an increasing importance in
the global English world.
[6] They need to learn English, but not all students will actually use English in their futures. However, I still believe that helping students learn as much as they can in all areas of the Language, can provide them with bigger opportunities.
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Writing to learn[7] When writing is incorporated as an
important "leg" of the four areas of language use, it strengthens all the others.
[8] Because it reinforces what they can express orally, it helps them to better organize their ideas and in general it is another important way to express what you think.
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Writing for mastery and/or ownership
[9] Adult learners view the writing skill of a second language of equal importance to their speaking skill. They regard it as a symbol of intellectual ownership.
[10] For full fluency and upward linguistic mobility, my students need to be fully competent in L2 writing.
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Approximately how much of your instructional time is devoted to teaching writing (as opposed to other language skills)?
Most of my in-structional time;
19%
A significant amount, but not primary focus;
21%About as much time teaching writing as other skills; 32%
Less time teach-ing writing than other skills; 23%
Little or no time teach-ing writing; 5%
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Do you teach a course that is primarily focused on writing?
Yes 44.4%
No 55.6%
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Nature of writing-focused courses Academic writing (argument, persuasion,
compare/contrast, research skills): 50%
Typical Responses
• “Academic essay writing”
• “Writing for college” • “Argumentative Essays mostly”
• “I teach courses designed to develop academic writing skills of Japanese university students preparing for an academic year abroad in the US.”
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Stereotypical response
[12] Getting students to understand the classic 5 paragraph essay and the organizational structure expected. Also, getting students aware of and able to abide by US rules of citation and quotation to avoid plagiarism, and understand plagiarism concepts.
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Some interesting, novel, or out-of-the-box responses[13] One of the courses that I often teach is one focused on
military writing skills.
[14] Since October 2008, I have conducted workshops throughout Georgia [the country] on listening skills, reading comprehension skills, grammar and writing essays in preparation for a [teacher] certification examination.
[15] Context based (success in pharmacy school)
[16] Graduation thesis -- a one-semester class for seniors, since all theses are written and presented in English.
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Writing assessment
Grammar or language exams
Timed essay exams
Revised out-of-class writing
Portfolios
Journals
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00
On average, how frequently do you use the following to assess your students' writing?
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Other•The vast majority (55% ) of “other”
responses used some form of classroom writing for assessment.
•Untimed, loosely-timed exams
•In-class writing assignments
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Challenges in teaching writing
large class sizes
lack of instructional resources
lack of technology
different language backgrounds
different English abilities
lack of student interest
lack of qualified teachers
teachers' own writing skills
lack of instructional time
time for providing feedback to students
testing policies
placement policies
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
PrivateK-122 year4 yearOverall
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Challenges (cont.)• A few comments
“At secondary levels, Georgian English teachers do not devote much time to essay writing because they, themselves, do not feel confident in this skill.”-teacher trainer in Georgian Ministry of Education
“Wow! none of these are problems for me! My classes are very small (1-3 students). I have enough computers for all in my classroom. I'm glad they speak different languages--it makes communicating in English important. The school is top-notch and very selective, so my students are capable and motivated. I get to place my students with content teachers who enjoy having ESL students in their classes.” –US middle school teacher
“I give every student (max in class is about 16) lots of individual attention and feedback. Its great for them, but exhausting for me.” –Instructor at US 4-year institution“Our teachers are
generally well-qualified to teach writing, but not qualified to teach multilingual students.” –Instructor at English L1 4-year institution
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Means of support
Writing/learning center
Editing/proofreading services
Writing group
Individualized meetings
None
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
PrivateK-122 year4 yearOverall
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Support (cont.)• A few comments
“…all those services are in the same place (the Writing Center) and are provided by two people. Services are highly limited and woefully inadequate.” –instructor at US 4-year institution
“The tutoring center on campus is only for the male students since there is only one official male tutor to help students. Female instructors are assigned 1/4 time work to assist students with tutoring; however, it is not necessarily specific to writing. I always invite students to come to my office for support and help.” –Instructor at 4-year institution in Saudi Arabia
“There is no free on-campus editing/proofreading service; students must find editors/proofreaders privately, usually for a fee.” –instructor at US 4-year institution
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Desired resources1. Summary/Paraphrase (48% overall)
▫ Especially in English-dominant settings and for academic writing (K-12= 60%)
2. Feedback/Error correction (45% overall)▫ 67% in settings where English is one of multiple languages▫ Especially in 2-year settings- 56%
3. Pre-writing, Revision, Peer review, Citing Sources (~ 30% each)▫ Varies by context▫ SLWIS members chose “revision” as #1 (48%) ▫ Advanced speakers chose “advanced writing” as #1 (45%)
Other▫ Wide variety of responses
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Final comments and additions?
Many!
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Bottom line?
Context matters
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Re-imagining SLW at TESOL: Relevant Issues•Working with/against testing policies
(U.S. K-12)•Time (instructional and non-class)•Incorporating technology as a learning
resource •Individualized support (one-on-one
feedback, tutorials, pull-out models)•Placement/mixed-level classes
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Re-imagining SLW at TESOL: Possible Initiatives• Resources for TESOL Resource
Center on…▫ Using technology▫ Alternative forms of assessment
(e.g., journals, portfolios)▫ Writing in workplace/professional
contexts (especially EFL)▫ Writing in K-12 contexts▫ Integrating sources: summarizing,
paraphrasing, citing/plagiarism▫ Feedback and error correction▫ Writing process ▫ Peer review
•Lesson Plan•Activity•Quiz/Assessment Tool•Teaching Tip•Paper or Article•Presentation/Multimedia Resource•Web Link/Software•Research Brief•Other
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Re-imagining SLW at TESOL: Possible Initiatives• Bibliographies on targeted areas, posted on SLW-IS
site• InterSection columns or newsletters (e.g., March
2009 issue)• Submission of newsletter articles to TRC• IS leadership representation • InterSections and colloquia with Elementary
Education, Secondary Education, EFL, ESP• PCIs and workshops on K-12 writing instruction and
assessment• White papers/Resolutions (e.g., CCCC Statement on
Teaching Second Language Writing & Writers)
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Your thoughts?