MUHAMMAD NAWAZ EAL INSTRUCTOR Strategies for Teaching Writing to Pre-Intermediate Learners LYDIA MANS EAL INSTRUCTOR TESL Nova Scotia Conference October 25, 2014

Outline Introduction Common challenges facing pre-Intermediate writers Using casual talk about students' lives to generate writing Using action verbs and bringing realia help achieve a writing task Working with vocabulary relevant to students' lives to help students build writing Focussing the writing task on an audience for a real purpose Using the writing process in an integrated skills lesson Using mini whiteboards and pictures for micro-writing practice

Common Challenges Facing Pre-Intermediate Writers Vocabulary Confidence and content to complete the writing task Sentence structure Varying their sentence structure

Using casual talk about students' lives to generate writing Weekend talk in post weekend classes Writing personal headlines Posting headlines on the bulletin board A headline might read "A Fun Visit to All Hallows Eve and Thanks Giving Festival” Interactive discussion on headlines Putting stories to writing (personal narrative) "Headline News" experience helps generate writing that is focused, detailed, and well ordered

Using action verbs and bringing realia to the class Working with action verbs around any practical scenario For example, “Cooking at Home” Action verbs and pictures – matching activity Reading a recipe with the action verbs made bold Groups discussion to brainstorm foods that could be chopped, fried, boiled, etc. Writing task to generate personal recipes using action verbs Other practical topics:

Working with vocabulary relevant to students' lives to help them build writing Task-based lesson with new vocabulary more relevant to students' lives Active tasks on vocabulary - in pairs and groups Modify, transform, illustrate, reuse, match with definitions and check pronunciation Make extensive use of the dictionary and thesaurus A follow-up writing task (paragraph/ / instructions) Students can be given a task to bring pictures next day which illustrate new vocabulay

Focussing the writing task on an audience for a real purpose Abstract and hypothetical writing tasks are usually challenging Writing to a potential audience for a real purpose makes it more achievable Brainstorm concrete purpose and audience in groups Personalize the topic Write a short note/ /paragraph in authentic writing

Using the writing process in an integrated skills lesson An integrated skills lesson Pre-writing group discussions Reading models and samples, Listening to people talking about a similar situation Discussing the topic and taking notes Writing the first draft Reviewing and editing with a self-assessment checklist Peer or group review Teacher’s feedback and correction in a comfortable environment Revised / final draft

Mini Whiteboards A really quick way to see who’s got it, who doesn’t have a clue, and when to move on.

Sentence Construction Make a sentence with 7 words about… Make a sentence with 8 words about…. Make a sentence with 10 words about.... using the conjunction “but”

Mini-Whiteboards & Cards Subjects : Verbs: Time Phrases: Conjunctions: Modals: Questions: the teacher invent all of the children his family shopthinkstudy in the morning yesterdaySince 2005 neveroftentomorrow andbutbecausedespite whenwhowhat shouldcouldwouldmust

Let’s Practice! studymy sisterat the moment

Let’s Practice! studyall of the studentstomorrow Where

Let’s Practice! The English teachersthis afternoonso

Let’s Practice! startemployees mustbecause

When to use it: Preparing for a guest speaker Writing a notice (safety, keeping the kitchen clean, policies) – WhatWhy shouldmust becausewhenif How

Task: Write a safety notice for the volunteers working in the library What nouns, verbs, and adjectives can be used to describe this picture? Identify 5 unsafe things.

What nouns, verbs, and adjectives can be used to describe this picture? Identify 4 unsafe things. Task: You are a landlord of an apartment. Write a notice for your tenants with some safety rules.

When to use it: Writing a note/letter/ explaining something (landlord, friend, manager, teacher, neighbour) A kijiji ad Ifbecausebut when For several years usuallyIfwhen

What information did they give about the bike? What verb tenses do you see? Can you spot any compound or complex sentences?

Benefits Can see immediately who and how many have understood Students have to negotiate with a partner how to write the sentence correctly. Students have to self edit Immediate and tailored feedback specific to each student’s needs. Fun and motivating for students

Summary Task-based lessons help students learn structure and vocabulary in context Casual talk, focusing on the real audience, action verbs, and realia help students generate writing Mini-white boards help students improve their sentence structure

Thank You!