Best Practices for Teaching Writing to Fluent English Speakers
If a student speaks fluent English, they likely won't face many difficulties with writing. However, just as those whose primary language is English might struggle with writing, even fluent speakers need structured guidance to enhance their writing skills. This article explores effective strategies for teaching writing to fluent English speakers, focusing on paragraph writing, academic vocabulary, and the transition from informal to formal writing.
Building Foundational Paragraph Writing Skills
When teaching writing to someone who speaks fluent English, start with basic yet crucial elements – paragraph writing. Choose a relatable and engaging topic such as the best trip they've taken, the benefits of owning a cat or a dog, or the implications of AI in both positive and negative contexts. These topics not only spark interest but also encourage the student to express themselves coherently.
Begin by emphasizing the importance of a strong topic sentence, which clearly states the main idea. Explain that the rest of the paragraph should support this sentence with evidence, examples, and elaboration. Additionally, the importance of transition words cannot be overstated, as they help to flow ideas smoothly throughout the paragraph.
The student should practice writing a paragraph that aligns with these elements. Encourage them to form complete sentences, avoiding sentence fragments or run-on sentences. If sentence structure poses a challenge, revisit the paragraph and rewrite it with properly formed sentences. This practice is crucial for enhancing their writing ability.
Transitioning to Formal Academic Writing
Once the student demonstrates proficiency in writing well-structured paragraphs, it's time to introduce the nuances of more formal writing. Demonstrate how to write a paragraph with a more academic tone, free from contractions, colloquial expressions, and phrasal verbs. Instead, they should use formal academic vocabulary to express their ideas more rigorously.
This transition is not only beneficial for academic writing but also enhances overall writing skills. If the student struggles with specific grammar or vocabulary issues, identify and focus on these areas. For instance, if they frequently make mistakes in the use of passive voice or subordinate clauses, provide targeted exercises to improve these skills.
From Paragraphs to Full Essays
To further develop their writing skills, move on to teaching the structure of a full essay. Start with a simple argumentative essay, guiding the student through the process of organizing their thoughts, developing a thesis statement, and constructing body paragraphs with supporting evidence. Encourage the use of introductory and concluding paragraphs to provide a clear framework for their writing.
Explore other text types as well, such as writing formal business emails or reports. Each text type offers unique challenges and opportunities for improvement. For instance, a business email requires a more formal tone and a clear, concise structure, while a report demands extensive research and critical analysis.
Conclusion
Improving one's formal writing skills has a positive impact on informal writing. By focusing on the fundamentals and gradually increasing the complexity of their writing, fluent English speakers can elevate their overall communication abilities. Through structured practice and a focus on both form and substance, students can become proficient and confident writers.