fce writing
DESCRIPTION
This is the session on issues that sts have with writing and how to address themTRANSCRIPT
How to get the right writing resultsShaun Wilden January 2010
You need a pen and paper:
In approximately 120 words, outline how you spent your
Christmas holiday.
You have 10 minutes.
Is the task a bit like this?
Taken from ‘Teaching Writing skills by Bryne (Longman)
What do we write?
In one minute list of all the things you have written this week.
Compare with a partner, are your lists similar? How many of the things did you write in a language other than English?
Between you choose 3 - 4 different things you have written and decide who the reader of each writing is and
what the purpose of the writing is.
Personal Writing Public Writing Creative Writing
Institutional Academic WritingSocial Writing
From ‘writing’ by Hedge
Is this writing?
This was genuinely submitted as homework:
My smmr hols wr CWOT. B4, we used 2go2 NY 2C my bro, his GF & thr 3 :-o
kids FTF. ILNY, it’s a gr8 plc
My summer holidays were a complete waste of time. Before we used to go New York to see my brother, his girlfriend and their three screaming kids face to face. I
love New York it’s a great place.
What? E.g. Reader? Effect?
Personal Diary
Public Newspaper article
Creative Story / Poem
Social Letter to friend
Study Notes
Institutional Report to boss
oneself
public
depends if it’s published
friend/family
oneself
boss/superior
- It doesn’t reflect how students would write in real life- It lacks the ‘reader and purpose’ elements- It’s time-consuming, lessons should be more than sitting and writing.- Students lack imagination.
- They write at different speeds.
- They don’t often need to write in English.
- Students make many errors, can’t spell and so on.
- It takes too much effort.
What? E.g. Reader? Effect?
Personal Diary
Public Newspaper article
Creative Story / Poem
Social Letter to friend
Study Notes
Institutional Report to boss
oneself
public
depends if it’s published
friend/family
oneself
boss/superior
Consider:
Content
Length
Style
Organisation
Register
Complexity / Range
Newspaper article
Story
Letter to friend
Report
How many different ‘genres’ are possible in the FCE writing paper?
Seven:An article (for a magazine or newspaper)An email (in response to a situation)An essay (discursive or argument)A letter (similar to email) A report (usually to a superior) A short story (for a magazine or newspaper)
(based on http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/general-english/fce.html)
We need materials that are:- Motivating - Purposeful- Advise giving - Deal with all the genres and provides help with
Content
Length
Style
Organisation
Register
Complexity / Range
OverviewWith its striking design, up-to-date material, and interactive
multi-media support for students and teachers, FCE Result is an accessible course and a complete preparation resource. It belongs to the Exams Result series along with CAE Result.
Key features
Vibrant design with high-impact visuals keeps students motivated
Integrated dictionary skills work builds new skills. Workbook Resource Pack MultiROM provides access to two online
practice tests at oxfordenglishtesting.comTeacher's Pack includes Assessment Booklet with DVD and
a Using Dictionaries booklet
You have received an email from your English-speaking friend, who is planning to visit you next month. Read her email and the notes you have made. Then reply in an email in 120 -150 words
FCE Result page 79 by Falla and Davies – OUP
FCE Result page 79
Content - depends on the question but content is determined by what is requested
Length determined by the question. Stick to the word limit!
(120 -150 / 120 – 180)
For an email….
Consider:
Style: ? Organisation: ?Register: ? Complexity / Range: ?
Style – It is a friend so more informal so contractions, short sentences etc Organisation - 3 or 4 paragraphs. What goes in each paragraph? Register - language of directions, places to visit (language to describe them), Complexity / Range - Use of synonyms, lexical
cohesion, language for suggestions and
recommendations etc
Motivate students to write
Generating ideas
Organising and ordering ideas
Make a first draft / write the letter
Consider the layout, language etc and if necessary practice
Based on Hedge / Lindsay and Knight
Edit content, language and spelling
