10/6

Learning to write in a second language is definitely not easy and I can say that from experience. Because I have felt the difficulty and effort that it takes to learn how to write in another language, I think I can relate to my students more when it comes to assigning them writing tasks. When I have my own classroom with ESL students I am going to make my best effort to try and incorporate the student's interests into each writing task that is presented to them. This is the best way to get students excited about what they are learning in class. It works the same way for reading. When we want students to enjoy reading, we let them choose a book that they want to read, so why not do the same for writing? Giving the students the option to write about something that interests them will help get the creative ideas flowing and allow them to have some prior knowledge on the topic, meaning they might already know some of the vocabulary words. Along with that, I think ELL's should be given the opportunity to practice several types of writing in the classroom, not just formal essays. In the real world they will need to know how to write letters, complaints, thank you's, etc. Small activities like these could end up being extremely beneficial for them, instead of only knowing how to write formally.

I also feel that with English language learners especially, they should be given time to write and reflect on their own experiences. I think in this case, it should be allowed in either their L1 or L1. They can write about what they are having trouble with or how their experiences in their new culture are going. Giving them this personal writing time will not only give the teacher an inside to what they are thinking, but help them express their own feelings. From what they have written, we can then guide the lessons in the direction that we feel is necessary.

However a teacher chooses to incorporate writing in the classroom is really up to them. In my classroom the students will experience writing in a variety of genres and will get the chance to write for pleasure as well as for a purpose. Writing is a skill that the students will need to be good at to eventually use in the professional world. I want my students to feel comfortable when they are in a situation where they have to write. Giving the students multiple ways to practice will only prepare them for the future.