Teaching ESL Composition : Purpose, Process, and Practice

by Ferris; Dana R.

• ISBN13: 9780805844672
• ISBN10: 0805844678
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2004-09-08
• Publisher: Lawrence Erlbau

Summary

In keeping with the spirit of the first edition,Teaching ESL Composition: Purpose, Process, and Practice, Second Editionpresents pedagogical approaches to the teaching of ESL composition in the framework of current theoretical perspectives on second language writing processes, practices, and writers. The text as a whole moves from general themes to specific pedagogical concerns. A primary goal is to offer a synthesis of theory and practice in a rapidly evolving community of scholars and professionals. The focus is on providing apprentice teachers with practice activities that can be used to develop the complex skills involved in teaching second language writing. Although all topics are firmly grounded in reviews of relevant research, a distinguishing feature of this text is its array of hands-on, practical examples, materials, and tasks, which are presented in figures and in the main text. The synthesis of theory and research in a form that is accessible to preservice and in-service teachers enables readers to see the relevance of the field's knowledge base to their own present or future classroom settings and student writers. Each chapter includes: *Questions for Reflection--pre-reading questions that invite readers to consider their own prior experiences as students and writers and to anticipate how these insights might inform their own teaching practice; *Reflection and Review--follow-up questions that ask readers to examine and evaluate the theoretical information and practical suggestions provided in the main discussion; and *Application Activities--a range of hands-on practical exercises, such as evaluating and synthesizing published research, developing lesson plans, designing classroom activities, executing classroom tasks, writing commentary on sample student papers, and assessing student writing. The dual emphasis on theory and practice makes this text appropriate as a primary or supplementary text in courses focusing on second language writing theory, as well as practicum courses that emphasize or include second language writing instruction or literacy instruction more generally. New in the Second Edition: *updated research summaries consider new work that has appeared since publication of the first edition; *revised chapter on research and practice in the use of computers in second language writing courses covers recent developments; *streamlined number and type of Application Activities focus on hands-on practice exercises and critical analysis of primary research; and *revisions throughout reflect the authors' own experiences with the text and reviewers' suggestions for improving the text.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
1 Theoretical and Practical Issues in ESL Writing	1	(29)
The Value of Theoretical Knowledge
Theory and Research in ESL Composition Instruction
The Uniqueness of ESL Writers: Classroom Implications
Summary
Reflection and Review
2 ESL Writing and L2 Literacy Development	30	(42)
Perspectives on L2 Literacy Development and the Sources of Literate Knowledge
Models of Literacy and the Teaching of ESL Writing
Tracing L1 and L2 Literacy Connections: Reading Skills and Writing Proficiency
Roles for Extensive and Voluntary Reading in ESL Composition
Reading and Writing in Socioliterate Communities: Genre-Oriented Approaches to Literacy Development
Summary
Reflection and Review
3 Syllabus Design and Lesson Planning in ESL Composition Instruction	72	(52)
Syllabus Development: Principles and Procedures
Needs Assessment: A Tool for Syllabus Design
Setting and Meeting Goals for Learning and Teaching
From Goals to Objectives: The Syllabus as a Framework for Instruction
Syllabus Development: Nuts and Bolts
The Course Schedule: Prioritizing, Sequencing, and Planning for Writing
Lesson Planning: Practices and Procedures
Summary
Reflection and Review
Appendix 3A: Sample Syllabus and Course Outline
Appendix 3B: Sample Lesson Plan
4 Text Selection, Materials Development, and Task Construction in ESL Composition	124	(60)
Surveying and Selecting ESL Composition Materials
Supplementing Course Texts With Original Materials and Tasks
Summary
Resource List
Reflection and Review
Appendix 4: Sample Summary, Paraphrase, and Quotation Exercise for an Advanced EAP Writing Course
5 Teacher Response to Student Writing: Issues in Oral and Written Feedback	184	(39)
Perspectives on Teacher Response
Research on Teacher Feedback
Principles for Providing Written Feedback
Guidelines for Written Teacher Commentary
Teacher-Student Writing Conferences
Summary
Reflection and Review
Appendix 5A: Course Rubric and Essay Checklist
Appendix 5B: Sample Student Paper
Appendix 5C: Sample Student Essays and Teacher Commentary
6 Building a Community of Writers: Principles of Peer Response	223	(37)
Peer Response: Kudos and Criticisms
Research on Peer Response
Principles of Effective Peer Response Activities
Summary
Reflection and Review
Appendix 6A: Sample Peer Response Tasks
Appendix 6B: Materials for Designing a Peer Response Form
7 Improving Accuracy in Student Writing: Error Treatment in the Composition Class	260	(39)
A Brief History of Error Correction and Grammar Teaching in the Writing Class
Error Correction: Questions, Issues, and Options
Grammar Instruction: Research and Suggestions
Strategy Training for Self-Editing
Conclusion: Putting It All Together
Summary
Reflection and Review
Appendix 7: Sample Student Essays
8 Classroom Approaches to ESL Writing Assessment	299	(45)
Prospects and Pitfalls in L2 Writing Assessment: Measurement Tools and Participant Roles
Principles of Task Reliability and Validity
Approaches to Scoring in ESL Writing
Portfolio Assessment
Practical Concerns in Assessing Student Performance
Summary
Reflection and Review
9 Technology in the Writing Class: Uses and Abuses	344	(33)
The Brief, Tumultuous History of Computer-Assisted Writing Research and Instruction
Research Trends in Computer-Assisted Writing Instruction
Pedagogical Issues in Computer-Assisted Writing Instruction
Summary
Reflection and Review
Appendix 9: Sample Student Paper With Spelling and Grammar Analysis
References	377	(38)
Author Index	415	(10)
Subject Index	425