The Eighth International Literacy & Education Research Network Conference on

SPETSES, GREECE
4-8 July 2001

Peter Mak

Lecturer, Department of Creative Arts, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong

Learning to Write in a Foreign Language: Some of the Often Ignored but Crucial Processes

Abstract

This paper presents the findings from a case study using read-aloud protocols, interviews and observations of several Chinese students' writing processes in English. Beyond the selection of topics which are often teacher-initiated, the writing process includes a number of different and non-linear phases: prewriting, planning, writing, reading back as they write, editing and revising. The study also looks at the students' use of first language and other composing strategies in which their perceptions on the act of writing and composing are examined. The study examines the claim that overly excessive attention to surface elements often results in neglect of the more global concerns for ideas, content and organization. Revision has also been a process and skill largely ignored. This is actually the crucial stage where discovery and organization come together. Finally, the study shows that having good reading habit and developing intuitions in what good writing looks like is vital in helping students to become more motivated and self- reliant writers.

Bionote

Doctoral candidate - RMIT; B.A., USA (1976); M.F.A. - Arizona, USA; MA-TESL. Taught language and art in high schools, colleges and universities since 1984 (USA and Hong Kong). Currently, lecturer - Hong Kong Institute of Education. Research interest: second language (English) writing process; social linguistic factors in L2 learning; process of creating in art-making.

Presentation Type
30 min. Paper

Presentation Equipment and Other Requests
Overhead Projector

Speaking Date/Time Restrictions

Country
Hong Kong