The Reading-Writing

Connection

Why we need to encourage our ESL students to read

more in order to be better writers

TESO 1128 Teaching Writing (online mode) / Instructor: Sara Yuen

„Good readers make good writers‟

Reading helps Ss develop their schemata/background

knowledge (McKay, 1994)

Reading exposes Ss to models of writing across the

genres. Ss can explicitly analyse reading texts for

form, syntax, vocabulary, register, etc.

“the ability to compose in any language cannot develop

without knowledge of the forms, patterns and

purposes of written language” (Ferris &Hedgcock,

2005, p. 34).

So, in the writing

classroom…

Provide time for learners to read, analyse, and discuss

different texts

Explicitly teach grammar and vocabulary; these elements

“must be included for L2 writers to communicate

meaningfully and appropriately” (Hinkel, 2004, p.124)

Example (from Harmer, 2004) of an Intermediate level writing

lesson plan:

Objective: Ss will be able to write informal letters

How would you structure the lesson activities to incorporate

reading and text analysis as part of the pre-writing

tasks?

Harmer’s Lesson Progression:

Ss read a text (a letter) and answer Qs. Discuss features of an informal, friendly letter (e.g where the sender‟s address is and how date is written)

Ss examine range of phrases and decide if each one is informal, formal or neutral

Ss try writing an informal letters in response to a wedding invitation

Ss look at a new letter with gaps in it, and complete the text

Ss check answers and discuss this letter (more formal) with the previous ones

Homework: write a letter in response to an advertisement. T collects, makes suggestions for re-drafting and rewriting. Ss produce a final version.

References

Ferris, D. and Hedgcock, J. (2005). Teaching ESL

composition: Purpose, process and practice (2nd ed.).

New York, NY, USA: Routledge.

Harmer, J. (2004). How to teach writing. England:

Pearson Education Limited.

Hinkel, E. (2006). Current perspectives on teaching the

four skills. TESOL Quarterly, 40(1), 109-131.

McKay, S. (1994). Developing ESL writing materials.

System, (22)2, 195-203.