1. Unit 12 Teaching Writing

2. Aims of the Unit - to understand the nature of writing in reality - to learn a communicative approach to writing - to be aware of the problems in writing tasks in existing textbooks - to understand the process approach to writing

3. I. The Nature of Writing in Reality There is a great variety of things we write in reality such as notes, e-mail, story, report, etc. There is a great variety of things we write in reality such as notes, e-mail, story, report, etc. In reality, most writing is for communication, for example, to covey messages, or for self-creation In reality, most writing is for communication, for example, to covey messages, or for self-creation

4. II. A Communicative Approach to Writing Advocate the process approach to writing, guide the students through the process of writing. Advocate the process approach to writing, guide the students through the process of writing. Student can be motivated by authentic writing tasks that have some communicative elements. Student can be motivated by authentic writing tasks that have some communicative elements. Engage students in some act of communication, e.g. writing letter. Engage students in some act of communication, e.g. writing letter. At the beginning stage of language learning, learners’ writing activities can be between “writing for learning ” and “writing for communication”.

5. III. Problems in Writing Tasks They are mainly accuracy-based.They are mainly accuracy-based. They are designed to practise certain target structures. They are designed to practise certain target structures. There is insufficient preparation before the writing stage. There is insufficient preparation before the writing stage. There is no sense of authenticity There is no sense of authenticity There is no sense of audience. There is no sense of audience. There is no opportunity for creative writing, particularly for expressing unusual or original ideas. There is no opportunity for creative writing, particularly for expressing unusual or original ideas.

6. IV. A Process Approach to Writing 1. What is process approach to writing? The teacher provides some help to guide the students through the process that they undergo when they are writing.

7. 2. What are the features of process writing? Focus on the process of writing that leads to the final written product; Help students writers to understand their own composing process; Help them to build repertoires of strategies for prewriting, drafting, and rewriting; Give students time to write and rewrite;

8. Place central importance on the process of revision; Let students discover what they want to say as they write; Give students feedback throughout the composing process; Encourage feedback both from the instructor and peers; Include individual conferences between teacher and student during the process of composition.

9. V. Suggestions on the Process Approach to Writing Before writing, students work together to brainstorm topics and ideas. While writing, students should finish it by themselves. After writing, there are a lot of options for the teacher to decide what to do next, e.g. peer reading, discussion, rewriting. The teacher could provide the students with a checklist to guide their peer reading and feedback.