scholarly journals A Practice-Oriented Definition of Post-Process Second Language Writing Theory

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Kalan

This article is a synthesis of the scholarly literature on the post-process approach to teaching second language (L2) writing, particularly college and university composition in English as an additional language. This synthesis aims to offer a definition of post-process L2 writing that can readily lend itself to practice and be more accessible to practitioners. All the publications that had either substantially or marginally discussed post-process theory since 1990 were systematically reviewed in order to answer the following question: What is a definition of post-process L2 writing theory that can readily lend itself to pedagogy and actual practice for helping college and university writers of English as an additional language?Cet article est une synthèse de la littérature savante sur la méthode post-processus de l'enseignement de la rédaction en langue seconde (L2), notamment de l'écriture dans les cours d'anglais langue additionnelle dans les collèges et les universités. L'objectif de cette synthèse est de proposer une définition de la rédaction post-processus en L2 qui puisse se prêter facilement à la pratique et être plus accessible aux praticiens. On a examiné systématiquement toutes les publications ayant porté, ou même évoqué, la théorie du post-processus depuis 1990 et ce, de sorte à répondre à la question suivante : Quelle définition de la rédaction post-processus en L2 peut facilement se prêter aux fins pédagogiques et pratiques dans les cours d'anglais langue additionnelle dans les collèges et les universités?

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Williams ◽  
Frank Condon

Although some translingual advocates call for collaboration amongst composition studies, translingual, and second language writing theorists, current misinterpretations of translingual theory represent the field of second language writing in a negative light, making an alliance amongst the scholars of these elds unlikely. Translingualism is embedded in inclusive rhetorics, which, we demonstrate, equate difference with the ability to think divergently. From this perspective, linguistic difference is a catalyst for critical thinking, and linguistic standardization is discrimination. Although this view is accurate, translingual theorists are at risk of misinterpreting second language classrooms as sites of forced linguistic homogenization. The teaching of form and genre are particularly contentious as translingual theorists, who may be unaware of research in second language writing, believe that these elements are taught in second language classrooms without tolerance of linguistic variation. Because translingualism is deeply rooted in inclusive rhetorics, second language teachers are unable to object to this nega- tive view of their field without affiliating themselves with exclusionary rhetorics. However, theorists such as Larsen-Freeman, Halliday, and Tardy write about form and genre using terms similar to those used by translingual theorists, suggesting that current second language writing theory recognizes linguistic variability and the interdependence of form/genre and context. Therefore, alliances amongst scholars in the elds of composition studies, translingualism, and second language writing would be possible if the negative view of second language writing implied by misinterpretations of translingual theory could be redressed. Bien que quelques tenants du translinguisme prônent une collaboration entre les études en rédaction, les théoriciens en translinguisme et ceux en expression écrite en langue seconde, des interprétations erronées de la théorie du translinguisme présentent actuellement le domaine de la rédaction en langue seconde sous un jour négatif, rendant peu probable une alliance entre les chercheurs de ces domaines. Le translinguisme est intégré à la rhétorique de l’inclusion qui, nous le démontrons, présente la notion de la différence comme synonyme de capacité de raisonnement divergent. Selon ce e perspective, la différence linguistique est un catalyseur pour la pensée critique et la normalisation linguistique constitue une forme de discrimination. Même si ce point de vue est valide, les théoriciens en translinguisme risquent de mal interpréter les cours en langue seconde comme des sites d’uniformisation linguistique imposée. L’enseignement de la forme et du genre est particulièrement controversé car les théoriciens en translinguisme, ignorant peut-être la recherche portant sur la rédaction en langue seconde, croient que l’enseignement de ces éléments dans les cours de langue seconde se fait sans tolérer la variation linguistique. Puisque le translinguisme est fermement ancré dans la rhétorique de l’inclusion, les enseignants en langue seconde ne peuvent contester ce e vision négative de leur domaine sans s’a lier à la rhétorique de l’exclusion. Toutefois, certains théoriciens comme Larsen-Freeman, Halliday et Tardy s’expriment sur la forme et le genre en employant des expressions qui sont similaires à celles qu’emploient les théoriciens en translinguisme, ce qui permet de croire que la théorie actuelle portant sur la rédaction en langue seconde reconnait la variation linguistique et l’interdépendance de la forme, du genre et du contexte. Des alliances entre les chercheurs des trois domaines (rédaction, translinguisme et langue seconde) sont donc envisageables si l’on corrige l’opinion négative face à la rédaction en langue seconde qui ressort des mauvaises interprétations de la théorie translingue. 


Author(s):  
Azim Javadi-Safa

This paper briefly reviews the literature on writing skill in second language. It commences with a discussion on the importance of writing and its special characteristics. Then, it gives a brief account of the reasons for the weakness of students’ writing skill as well as addressing some of the most important topics in L2 writing studies ranging from disciplinary to interdisciplinary to metadisciplinary field of inquiry. In addition, it presents a historical sketch of L2 writing studies, consisting of approaches to teaching writing including behavioristic and contrastive rhetoric as well as discussing approaches to the study of writing including product-oriented, process-oriented, and post-process ones. It also introduces different types of feedback in writing consisting of peer feedback, conferences as feedback, teachers’ comments as feedback, and self-monitoring. Finally, it deals with holistic vs. analytic dichotomy in administration of writing assessment.


2010 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana R. Ferris

For more than a decade now, a great deal of research has been done on the topic of written corrective feedback (CF) in SLA and second language (L2) writing. Nonetheless, what those research efforts really have shown as well as the possible implications for practice remain in dispute. Although L2 writing and SLA researchers often examine similar phenomena in similar ways, they do not necessarily ask the same questions. SLA-focused researchers investigate whether written CF facilitates the acquisition of particular linguistic features. In contrast, L2 writing researchers generally emphasize the question of whether written CF helps student writers improve the overall effectiveness of their texts. Understanding these differences in starting points is important because it provides a possible explanation for the conflicting methodologies and conclusions of various reviews on this topic (e.g., Ferris, 2003, 2004; Truscott, 1996, 2007). This article briefly traces the history of these two parallel lines of research on written CF and notes both contrasts and convergences. It then moves to a focused discussion of the possible implications and applications of this body of work for the L2 language and writing classroom and for future research efforts.


2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khaled Barkaoui

This article reviews theories and research on revision in second-language (L2) writing. It examines how and what L2 writers revise, compares the revision practices of skilled and unskilled L2 writers, and suggests instructional practices to help learners improve their L2 revision skills.


Author(s):  
Jalil Fathi ◽  
Sara Mohebiniya ◽  
Saeed Nourzadeh

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of self-assessment and peer-assessment activities on second language (L2) writing self-regulation of Iranian English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) learners. For this purpose, a sample of forty-six English major students from two intact classes at an Iranian Islamic Azad University were recruited as the participants of the present study. Then, the two classes were randomly assigned to a self-assessment group (N=22) and a peer-assessment group (N=24). The self-assessment group was instructed on the writing assessment criteria in order to self-assess their writing tasks and the peer-assessment group was trained on how to assess the writings of their peers. The treatment carried out for the self-assessment and peer-assessment groups lasted for a period of one university semester. The data was collected through Second Language Writing Self-regulation (SLWS) administered as the pre-test and post-test of the study. The results obtained from the data analysis indicated that both self-assessment and peer-assessment were conducive in enhancing L2 writing self-regulation of the participants. Nevertheless, further analysis of the data indicated that the participants in the peer-assessment group were better than those in the self-assessment group with regard to writing self-regulation, suggesting that peer-assessment activities were more effective than the self-assessment activities in contributing to enhancing writing self-regulation of the EFL learners. The justification of the findings and their implications for L2 writing pedagogy are also discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-139
Author(s):  
Ehsan Abbaspour

Whether corrective feedback is effective in L2 writing has always been a controversial issue among Second Language Acquisition (SLA) scholars despite a vast body of research investigating the issue. This conflict is rooted in the fact that different researchers subscribe to different theories of SLA which are at times contradictory in nature. The present article reviews and investigates major SLA theories with respect to their views and stance toward the efficacy of Written Corrective Feedback (WCF) and error correction in second language writing. Many of these theories do not address the role of corrective feedback explicitly or merely focus on the role of oral feedback. Polio (2012) and Bitchener and Ferris (2012) have partially investigated the issue at stake reviewing a number of SLA theories. In this study, however, attempt is made to shed light on the role of WCF especially in the theories which are not directly concerned with L2 writing.


2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-25
Author(s):  
Sheri Dion

This paper presents a methodological critique of three empirical studies in second language (L2) French writing assessment. To distinguish key themes in French L2 writing assessment, a literature review was conducted resulting in the identification of 27 studies that were categorized into three major themes. The three studies examined in this article each represent one theme respectively. Within this analysis, the underlying constructs being measured are identified, and the strengths and limitations are deliberated.  Findings from this detailed examination suggest that three examined studies in L2 French writing assessment have significant methodological flaws that raise questions about the claims being made. From this investigation, several studyspecific  recommendations are made, and four general recommendations for improving French L2 writing assessment are offered: (1) the social setting in which L2 assessments take place ought to be a consideration (2) the difficulty of tasks and time on task should be taken into account (3) greater consistency should be used when measuring and denoting a specific level of instruction (i.e. “advanced”) and (4) universal allusions to “fluency” should be avoided when generalizing one component of L2 competency (such as writing achievement) to other aspects of L2 development. Key words: French writing, methodological critique, written assessment, language assessment, second language writing assessment


RELC Journal ◽  
2022 ◽  
pp. 003368822110729
Author(s):  
Zhenhao Cao ◽  
Zhicheng Mao

While a surge of research has investigated the use of reformulations and models as positive evidence feedback (PEF) in second language (L2) writing, so far no research synthesis seeking to review the status quo of this particular topic has been published. To fill the gap, the present study synthesized 23 studies on reformulations and models as PEF in L2 writing and examined the salient findings regarding three major research strands: (1) students’ noticing and incorporation from reformulations; (2) students’ noticing and incorporation from models; and (3) effects of PEF on L2 writing. Informed by the study findings, we suggest L2 teachers vary their feedback decisions with flexibility, consider individual and contextual factors in PEF practices, combine PEF and corrective feedback to maximize student learning, and provide guidance to support student actions in response to PEF. We also propose three areas for further research, namely going beyond linguistic issues to explore the potential of PEF, systematically investigating factors influencing students’ engagement with PEF, and collecting longitudinal data to examine the long-term effect of PEF. This study enhances our understanding of this emerging research area and provides implications for L2 pedagogy, as well as suggestions for future investigations.


Author(s):  
Nayef Jomaa

Part of the researcher's duties towards his supervisees is to guide them in their postgraduate research journeys. Two important questions were raised by his supervisees. One of them is why the majority of studies follow Hyland's framework in analysing identity. The other question is why we do not follow Hyland's (framework in analysing the reporting verbs instead of Halliday's transitivity system. Is it because the latter is so difficult to understand? Therefore, this chapter aims at focusing on identity in second language (L2) writing, comparing between Halliday's modality, Vande Kopple's taxonomy, Crismore et al.'s taxonomy, and Hyland's model of metadiscourse. The findings showed a sort of similarity as well as variety, thus resulting in overlapping and lacking a solid model for analysing how writers reveal their identity. Therefore, a necessity arises to present a comprehensive model that can be used to identify all the categories and subcategories related to interpersonal meanings.


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