Are you wondering how to teach writing to ESL students? Here are four tips for teaching writing that you can incorporate.
1. Modeling
Different cultures have vastly different structures and styles when it comes to academic writing. For example, in low-context cultures like the United States, arguments are clearly and directly laid out and the thesis (main argument) is in the beginning of the essay. In other cultures, it is common to put the thesis toward the end of the essay. This is an indirect, and arguably more interesting, way to make an argument, and the reader is expected to connect the dots themselves.
This is why it is important for writing teachers to show students models of the type of writing they expect students to produce. These samples need to be broken down and analyzed so that students understand how all the pieces work together in the finished product.
2. Teach the Writing Process
Don’t skimp on teaching each step of the writing process! If students complete these steps, the quality of their writing will be much better. That means less work for you!
The basic writing process steps are:
1. Brainstorming – This is a free writing exercise that helps students get several ideas down on paper. I tell my students not to worry about spelling and grammar when they free write. I also show them how to brainstorm using a mind map so they can see interconnected ideas. After they free write, I have them discuss their ideas with a partner and jot down any additional ideas that come up from the discussion. Then I have them look at their brainstorm notes and select ideas that would be good topics to write about. I often help them with this step.
2. Outlining – Students are not ready to organize their ideas into an outline. Make sure that they have the main components of an essay or a paragraph – thesis (for an essay), topic sentences, supporting details, and a conclusion of some sort. I tell my students that they can write in note form in their outline. They are simply organizing ideas, not writing sentences or paragraphs yet. Then I check their outlines and make suggestions. For example, if a student barely has any supporting ideas to support a topic sentence, I’ll ask them if they really want to include that idea.
3. Drafting – Students are now ready to write their first drafts! I usually have them do this in class so that I can provide some feedback in real time and answer questions as they arise. Then I collect the drafts, give written feedback (with some kind of rubric), and hand them back to students to revise. Then students write a final draft!
3. Engaging Prompts
Make sure the writing prompts you assign are appropriate for diverse students and are engaging. Giving them a choice of 2-3 topics works well in my classes. Make sure to build up schema (background knowledge) on topics so they have ideas to write about.
For example, if you just wrapped up a reading unit on climate change, they can write a cause and effect essay on that topic. If you share a group of students with another teacher, ask what units they’ve completed to get ideas for what students can write about in your class.
You can certainly have them choose their own topics, but I recommend having them check the topic with you first.
4. Instruction on Interpreting Feedback
Teaching students how to decipher and implement your feedback is just as important as teaching them academic writing structure and organization.
Before giving them feedback on their writing, you need to prep them by teaching a lesson on exactly how to interpret your feedback. Every teacher gives feedback differently, so teach them your method. Give them a handout with a set of editing symbols that you will use on their drafts and written comments. Do a whole lesson on what these symbols mean and how to make changes to drafts according to your feedback. Show them an example “rough draft” with the editing symbols and comments on it, and work together to edit the draft according to the feedback. Give them opportunities in class to read over your feedback and ask questions.
You know how long it takes to give quality feedback on drafts! Don’t let all that hard work go to waste.
We want out students to improve their academic writing skills in order to achieve their language goals. Implement these tips for how to teach writing to ESL students today in your class!
If you want no-prep writing units that your students will love, check out these writing units from my store. These units will take students through the entire writing process, and they include reading passages for building schema and background. They also include teacher feedback keys and rubrics for faster grading. Click the images below to get to the resources!
