Teaching and Learning to Write

Author(s):  
Abraham Panavelil Abraham

Teaching writing is one of the most challenging tasks an EFL teacher has to face, and students find writing a difficult skill to develop. This chapter, however, focuses on Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) as a successful tool for tackling this problem. It defines TBLT and examines its importance for enhancing the writing skills of the EFL students, giving examples of tasks that have been successfully tried out in the classroom. The chapter also examines the use of various strategies for increasing EFL learners' involvement in reading-to-writing activities.

Author(s):  
Yilin Huang ◽  
◽  
Sohani Gandhioke ◽  

To solve the problem of Chinese EFL students’ passive and ineffective vocabulary learning, task-based language teaching (TBLT) methods were introduced to English classes at a university. With TBLT, students interacted with each other by using English, especially English words learnt, in order to fulfil the tasks designed by teachers. Based on second language acquisition theories, students were able to understand input and produce output during this process. This paper focuses on using TBLT in English vocabulary teaching in three non-English major classes of a Chinese university, involving the use of some word games. The word games’ features, organization, and a skill set built through those games, will be discussed. In terms of methodology, an online questionnaire survey was conducted among 93 university students from the three classes. Also, results of the students’ before-task and after-task word quizzes on Moodle platform and exam paper results were analysed. The research findings showed that students enjoyed playing word games in the English class and benefitted from it, in terms of language development and building skills. This paper recommends teachers to use TBLT in English vocabulary teaching and learning, as it is practical and can assist in EFL learners’ vocabulary acquisition.


2021 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-149
Author(s):  
G. Akhmetova ◽  
◽  
A. Bizhkenova ◽  

The present research paper discusses the issues of identifying common lexical and semantic mistakes in Kazakh pre-intermediate EFL learners studying in homogeneous groups at university. Words are viewed as powerful tools and when used correctly, words may evoke different feelings and emotions and cause various actions. It’s important to learn how to spot difficult words, correct them timely, and master lexical competence teaching to use the words correctly. The data of the study were collected by learner’s EFL teacher from their final essays. Thirty-one essays were used as the instrument of the study to obtain real language from the participants. The authors of the study hope that the results of the conducted research would contribute to the understanding of the phenomenon of lexical and semantic errors in English language teaching which will help teachers to elaborate the differentiated tasks and ways of explaining new vocabulary preventing students’ misunderstanding. Furthermore, the results of the presented research can serve as guidance and be used in compiling EFL textbooks for Kazakhstani students. As a result, researchers managed to classify lexical and semantic errors in English language teaching, identified frequent errors, and described their causes. The findings of the research illustrate that the participants of the study make errors of word choice and incorrect collocations the most. Moreover, incorrect usage of the preposition and literal translation from L1 are included in the frequent mistakes


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Vu Phi Ho Pham ◽  
Thi Kim Loan Bui

Writing is a challenging and demanding skill for EFL learners in Vietnam. Teaching writing skills at Vietnamese universities is problematic since different approaches to writing have not been implemented effectively. Mainly, a genre-based approach to writing has not yet been implemented in EFL writing classrooms successfully. This paper investigates how the genre-based writing approach has been taught and learned at Van Lang University. The study mentions some critical notions of systemic functional linguistics, genre-based writing approach, and the importance and effects of genre-based approach to writing. 128 students turned in their midterm essays in week 5 of the 10-week writing course. These 128 expository essays were analyzed and synthesized using Microsoft Excel to calculate the differences in move-step structure. The findings indicated that the students had difficulty following the fixed move-step structure, and they also faced challenges of lexico-grammatical usage for the expository. Hence, the study suggests some implications for applying a genre-based approach to writing for EFL teachers and students and suggests further research.


Author(s):  
Lien Cam

Many colleges and universities in Vietnam have employed e-learning platforms in teaching English with the hope to better students’ English proficiency. Recently, e-learning programs such as DNTU-LMS and Canvas have been implemented at Dong Nai Technology University. With their features of flexibility and efficiency, they have been being used as crucial tools for teaching and learning in various faculties in the university especially during the widespread of Covid-19 pandemic. The present study aimed at identifying the views of the EFL learners from Faculty of Foreign Languages on the application of e-learning platform. A group of 100 EFL students was chosen randomly to participate in this study. Data was collected using questionnaire. After analyzing student’s responses, the results proved that the introduction of e-learning was effective. E-learning also stimulates students to learn English and brings them comfort and joy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pitambar Paudel ◽  
Binod Neupane ◽  
Krishna Prasad Parajuli

The global spread of English has brought a significant shift in English language teaching from methodology to post methodology era, structural to communicative approach and theory-based conception of teaching to evidence-based practice of teaching harmonizing with the context of learning. The advent of postmethod pedagogy in the twenty first century had widely acknowledged the contribution of individual teachers in English language teaching and learning field. Consequently, incorporation of dialogues and the field of English language teaching have turned to be complex creating numerous kaleidoscopic thoughts and research in the arena of English language teaching. In this diverse and convoluted contexts, we are pleased to bring the first volume of Journal of NELTA Gandaki (JoNG) with the aim of accommodating such diversities and providing support and resources to all the language practitioners for boosting up their professionalism by promoting the arenas of English language teaching in the local context. This issue consists of eleven articles from various fields of applied linguistics, English language teaching, testing, researching and so forth. The first one sheds light on the pedagogical dimension of literature in ESL/EFL classroom and concludes with proposing the pedagogical approaches and procedures of exploring literary texts to maximize learning opportunities for students. The second examines the role of role play techniques in teaching speaking skill to the students of class 10. This article reports positive role of role play in fostering speaking skill of the students. Similarly, the third article has concluded that the reflection of critical events gave them some kind of relief in teaching practice and the events taught them a number of strategies. Likewise, the following article concludes that the book follows the gradual shift from foreign language literature to learners' local culture with communicative skills of interaction and provides learners an opportunity of learning foreign culture and their own cultures. The fifth article deals with the finding that shows unsupportive behavior of the supervisors and difficulties of selecting the appropriate area of study. They were the major challenges that students ever facing in writing thesis. Similarly, the next article reveals that both the teachers and the students were affirmative towards learner autonomy but most of them did not adopt it in English language teaching and learning. The seventh article shows a number of challenges in implementing self directed learning even if both the teachers and students had positive attitudes towards it. The eighth article justifies that mixed methods research design, which has been a recent practice in academia, should be adopted in the research of universities and the research centres. Similarly, the ninth article examines the strategies employed in learning English by Bachelor level students in Nepalese context. The following article reveals that integrated approach of language teaching is sure to pursue its harmony in teaching language. The final article concludes that majority of English teachers at secondary level followed product approach in teaching writing which led them to face a number of challenges in teaching writing. We have made this a peer reviewed journal, in which a number of hands directly and/or indirectly, seen or unseen have bestowed to maintain quality and standard to bring it into this form. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the contributors and reviewers from home and abroad without whose rigorous support, the journal would not have come to this form. We would also like to express our gratitude to NELTA Gandaki Province for full-blown support and guidance when, where and what the editorial team expected. The articles published in the journal are the properties of NELTA Gandaki Province, however, the authenticity and liability of the views and ideas expressed in them go to the authors themselves. Constructive suggestions from the valued readers and well-wishers are always welcome to uplift the standard and quality of the journal in the forthcoming issue.


2000 ◽  
Vol 129-130 ◽  
pp. 225-274
Author(s):  
Ali Işik

The present study investigates the combined effects of different amounts of comprehension-based and form-focused instruction on skill-based proficiency and knowledge of grammatical structures of beginner-level efl students. Specifically, the study addresses the following research questions : 1) Does a basically comprehension-based program of instruction supported by form-focused instruction help beginner-level efl learners improve/develop their listening, reading and writing abilities more than a basically form- focused program of instruction? 2) Does a basically form-focused program of instruction help beginner-level efl learners improve their knowledge of grammatical structures more than a basically comprehension-based program of instruction? One experimental and one control group, each containing 20 lycee prep level Turkish efl students, participated in the study. The subjects in the experimental and control groups were randomly selected from among lycee prep classes in two different schools. The experimental group enrolled in a program of comprehension-based instruction supported by form- focused instruction; whereas, the control group enrolled in a basically form-focused program of instruction. Both the experimental and control groups had 29 hours of efl instruction per week for 36 weeks. Different instruments were used to see the effects of these two different types of instruction on their reading, listening, writing skills and knowledge of grammatical structures. At the end of the fourth month, both groups were given the listening, reading and writing components of the Key English Test (ket) and the grammar component of the Oxford Placement Test. At the end of the eighth month, they were given the Preliminary English Test (pet) and another version of the grammar component of the Oxford Placement Test. The results indicated that the program of comprehension-based efl instruction supported by form-focused instruction was more effective than a basically form-focused program of instruction in helping beginner-level students develop their listening, reading, and writing skills as well as their knowledge of grammatical structures.


Author(s):  
Mariami Gogilashvili

The advance of technology has made the emergence of the Internet become more and more important in language teaching and learning. For this reason, this paper addresses its discussion on the importance of the Internet use in English language teaching. this current study aims at describing how Lessons in English online can solve a number of didactic tasks: develop reading skills and abilities, using global networking materials; Improve students’ writing skills; Complete students' vocabulary; Develop students' motivation to learn English.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-90
Author(s):  
Putu Yuni Widianingsih ◽  
Diah Ayu Manik Pradnya Dewi ◽  
Putu Enik Kristianti

The development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) offers many solutions for the teacher to use an effective learning platform to improve students’ writing skills. Schoology is a learning application that can be used by teachers and students to teach and to learn writing. This paper aims to explain the use of Schoology in teaching writing and its benefits for students’ writing skills. Literature study was used as the method of this study in collecting the data. The study found that: 1). Students who were taught by using Schoology had better writing skill than those who were not. 2). Schoology was found effective media for teaching writing due to its easiness and friendly display. The findings are expected to be an alternative learning media used by both teachers and students in supporting the teaching and learning process in writing.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 197-217
Author(s):  
Sri Ayu Istiqomah ◽  
Alies Poetri Lintangsari ◽  
Widya Caterine Perdhani

Indonesian EFL learners face challenges in comprehending English phonemes as it becomes one of the significant predictors of English literacy. Hence, the English Phonetics subject is considered one of the most difficult ones, making the teaching and learning process less effective. Addressing Indonesian EFL learners’ attitudes toward English phonetics teaching is significant to improve phonetics teaching, yet, research on this has not received much attention. This present study was conducted to explore EFL learners’ attitudes toward English phonetic learning. A quantitative approach with survey design was employed involving 112 Indonesian EFL students. The researchers identified students’ attitudes using an adapted questionnaire from Lintunen and Mäkilähde (2015). Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was utilized to analyze the data. The results indicate that Indonesian EFL students perform positive attitudes toward English phonetic learning, although they confess that phonetics is challenging. It implies that phonetics learning is potential and promising to support their English fluency; hence, lecturers need to make phonetics Learning more enjoyable, easier and participating in drawing the students' full engagement by considering their preferences and attitude toward phonetics learning.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 120
Author(s):  
Enas Abdelwahab Eltom RahmtAllah

Writing is considered an essential learning tool for all content areas. However, to master and have excellent writing skills for EFL students of undergraduate programs is challenging. Cohesion and coherence are both crucial textual elements to master writing. The present study examined coherence in English essays written by 46 female Saudi EFL third year at Unaizah College of Sciences and Arts, Qassim University. Examination of essays by the subject group designed to answer the research question. 1.) To what extent are EFL students competent in achieving coherence in writing skills? Each student was asked to write two essays (a writing test that included two essay questions). The data were analyzed through SPSS. The study results demonstrated that learners are not competent in achieving coherence in their writing tasks. In light of these results, recommendations are presented. The results also recommend further studies to investigate coherence and action research to improve this crucial skill among undergraduate Saudi EFL learners.


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