An Exploration on Issues and Challenges in Teaching Writing Skills to Tertiary-Level Learners

2020 ◽  
pp. 98-107
Author(s):  
Jefferson K. ◽  
Ramya Sri R. ◽  
Radhakrishnan V.
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Writing Skills ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Teaching Writing ◽  
Tertiary Level ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Area Of Concern ◽  
Esl Classroom

Writing is considered a very important skill in language learning yet a very challenging task for students to master it. It is also a required skill for students to score good grades in their academics. Inappropriate use of words, incorrect, and illogical sentence structures and grammatical mistakes while writing, reflect poorly on the language proficiency of learners. This also creates issues later in their professional life. Addressing these challenges at the tertiary level has been an area of concern to English language teachers. The prime aim of this study is to explore the challenges and problems encountered by teachers in teaching writing skills to learners in the ESL classroom. This chapter also proposes a process-product based effective pedagogic practice which was experimented in the ESL classroom while teaching writing. The approach employed facilitated learners to overcome issues by making learners use the language in context rather than merely based on grammar structure.

scholarly journals Analysis of Teacher Beliefs and Efficacy for Teaching Writing to Weak Learners

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 208
Author(s):  
Tunku Mohani Tunku Mohtar ◽  
Charanjit Kaur Swaran Singh ◽  
Napisah Kepol ◽  
Ahmad Zainuri Loap Ahmad ◽  
Sasigaran Moneyam
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Beliefs ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Instructional Strategies ◽  
English Language ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Writing Skills ◽  
Teaching Writing ◽  
Language Needs ◽  
Teacher's Beliefs

The present study investigated the beliefs and efficacy of a teacher teaching English to students who were weak at the language. The objective of the study was mainly to investigate the beliefs and efficacy of the ESL teacher for teaching writing to weak learners. The research was a case study of the English Language teacher teaching Form Three class of students whose English proficiency was very low. An interview was conducted with the teacher to further probe the instructional strategies applied to enhance her beliefs and efficacy in her own capabilities to make learning happen in her classroom. Observations were made to investigate the teacher’s efficacy in teaching and the performance of the students specifically for writing. Results show the teacher’s beliefs of her students’ capabilities and their language needs helped shape the teacher’s instructional strategies. The teacher’s efficacy enabled her to decide to undertake the task of teaching writing to her students because she was confident in her ability. The teacher provided clues to the students to facilitate their learning. This kind of feedback from the teacher indirectly motivated them to learn. The teacher’s beliefs and efficacy contributed to her teaching practice and the instructional strategies that she used in turn enhanced her beliefs and efficacy. The study implicates that teacher’s beliefs and efficacy can assist the weak learners in improving their writing skills and also facilitate language learning.

An Investigation of the Relationship of Motivation, Attitudes and Environment

2018 ◽  
pp. 1126-1139
Author(s):  
Helen, Yeh Wai Man
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Attribution Theory ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Self Confidence

This chapter will study a Philippine and a Chinese leaner's approaches to learn and achieve English language proficiency over 15 years in Hong Kong using biographical approaches. It focuses on the experience of individual motivation and social learning environments, and examines the interactions between the learner's motivation, self-confidence, and competition in the global economy. The effect of the interaction on shaping English learning and the learning experiences in three aspects including formal, self-directed and natural learning environments will also be discussed through Gardner's model of socio-educational model in second language acquisition and Weiner's attribution theory in social psychology. The chapter will suggest some practical implications for students and language teachers, discusses the ways to enhance second language learning in a cosmopolitan city, and presents some possible ways to increase learners' motivation and competitiveness in the global economy.

scholarly journals Enriching Cognizance at the Tertiary Level Students During Transition

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4.36) ◽  
pp. 665
Author(s):  
K. Jeyagowri ◽  
R. Abilasha ◽  
M. Ilankumaran
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Educational Background ◽  
Cognitive Skill ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Tertiary Level ◽  
College Level ◽  
Learning Skills

English language, as a global lingua franca, has its own respect and importance throughout the world. It is considered to be the shrine of knowledge. It is significant to acquire the English language proficiency, to be placed in good jobs. Though every college gives prime importance to English language, unfortunately most of the students fail to acquire good command over the language. In certain cases, students have the poor ability to comprehend learning at the college level because of their different educational background or capability. There are certain hurdles that affect the students from learning the language. Cognizance is an important component of the tertiary level students. Enriching cognizance of students refers to how the learners develop their knowledge in order to get a better idea of learning, awareness of the language skills they notice, and the observation of language learning. The objective of cognizance is to provide more knowledge to students. It promotes self-motivation of the students and enhances their basic skills of learning. Cognitive skill develops the student’s learning skills, notice, recollection and thoughts. This article deals with how cognizance in language learning is developed and thereby to sharpen their skills of learning. Furthermore, this paper analyses the causes and effects of the students’ transitional dilemma at the tertiary level in acquiring language efficacy. It offers some ideas and results based on the problems among the students in attaining the fluency in communication through developing cognition skills. Moreover, the study proposes to help the students to achieve the objective of education.   

scholarly journals TRANSLATION PEDAGOGY VERSUS PEDAGOGICAL TRANSLATION IN LANGUAGE LEARNING

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (43) ◽  
pp. 83-96
Author(s):  
Nik Zaitun Nik Mohamed ◽  
Ameiruel Azwan Ab Aziz ◽  
Kamsilawati Kamlun ◽  
Irma Wani Othman
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Actual Process ◽  
Verbal Form ◽  
Adequate Knowledge ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Translation Pedagogy

This conceptual paper presents the review of literatures of a study related to Translation in Language Teaching (TILT) and Translation Training, It reviews related literature on translation theories and practices in bilingual/multilingual classrooms as well. The interplay of translation, multilingualism, multiculturalism and globalisation in today’s ESL pedagogical reality demands translation to be employed in improving students’ English language proficiency. Unfortunately, research indicates that teachers do not possess adequate knowledge on appropriate translation models to enable them to perform translation in language teaching (TILT). As a result, they ended up employing unplanned code switching and code-mixing techniques throughout their English language lessons. Studies have shown that translation educators also do not possess adequate competencies in training language teachers to translate due to discrepancy between the chosen modules and teachers’ motivation. As a result, teachers failed to understand the purpose of such training. This conceptual paper, thus, attempts to conjure up two important concepts in translation studies: Pedagogical translation and translation pedagogy. Translation Pedagogy refers to the acquired knowledge on how to translate, whereas pedagogical translation refers to the actual process or practice of translation either in written or verbal form. The relevance of these two concepts in TILT are highlighted and discussed throughout this paper. A translation model is suggested as a guideline in providing training in TILT area. The result of this upcoming study may provide a direction in translation training for language teachers in Malaysia. It suggests that the concepts of Pedagogical Translation (PT) and Translation Pedagogy (TP) should be incorporated into translation training modules. By doing so, both translation trainers and teacher trainees are able to understand the actual processes of translation itself in TILT.

scholarly journals An Investigation of the Relationship of Motivation, Attitudes and Environment

2014 ◽  
pp. 1212-1225
Author(s):  
Helen, Yeh Wai Man
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Attribution Theory ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Self Confidence

This chapter will study a Philippine and a Chinese leaner's approaches to learn and achieve English language proficiency over 15 years in Hong Kong using biographical approaches. It focuses on the experience of individual motivation and social learning environments, and examines the interactions between the learner's motivation, self-confidence, and competition in the global economy. The effect of the interaction on shaping English learning and the learning experiences in three aspects including formal, self-directed and natural learning environments will also be discussed through Gardner's model of socio-educational model in second language acquisition and Weiner's attribution theory in social psychology. The chapter will suggest some practical implications for students and language teachers, discusses the ways to enhance second language learning in a cosmopolitan city, and presents some possible ways to increase learners' motivation and competitiveness in the global economy.

scholarly journals Differentiating Instruction in the Language Learning Classroom: Theoretical Considerations and Practical Applications

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1220
Author(s):  
Diego P. Ortega ◽  
Johanna M. Cabrera ◽  
Jhonny V. Benalcázar
Keyword(s):  
Learning Styles ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Teacher Educators ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Academic Excellence ◽  
Classroom Context ◽  
Practical Applications

Differentiated instruction (DI) is a topic that has attracted the attention of in-service and pre-service teachers, teacher educators and educational authorities in the last few decades, because of its great importance and several different affordances for better student learning. In this sense, this article attempts to provide content-area, classroom teachers and English language teachers with a solid understanding of what DI entails by learning about its key characteristics and fundamental reasons for the use of DI within the classroom context. Moreover, the importance behind modifying content, process, and product is not only analyzed in this paper but also the value of adjusting the learning environment is examined as well. Then a brief narrative of a teaching situation in an EFL context is highlighted in order to set the stage and explain the necessity of the implementation of a DI model into the classroom, so that students can experience meaningful and successful language learning. Afterwards, practical applications, based on meaningful and varied ways to differentiate instruction are included, so that language teachers find it easier to help students achieve learning standards. It is concluded that DI helps teachers be responsive to leaners’ needs, interests, ability and language proficiency levels, and learning styles, as DI puts students at the center of teaching and learning, promotes equity and academic excellence, and acknowledges student uniqueness.

An Investigation of the Relationship of Motivation, Attitudes and Environment

2013 ◽  
pp. 194-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen, Yeh Wai Man
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Attribution Theory ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Self Confidence

This chapter will study a Philippine and a Chinese leaner’s approaches to learn and achieve English language proficiency over 15 years in Hong Kong using biographical approaches. It focuses on the experience of individual motivation and social learning environments, and examines the interactions between the learner’s motivation, self-confidence, and competition in the global economy. The effect of the interaction on shaping English learning and the learning experiences in three aspects including formal, self-directed and natural learning environments will also be discussed through Gardner’s model of socio-educational model in second language acquisition and Weiner’s attribution theory in social psychology. The chapter will suggest some practical implications for students and language teachers, discusses the ways to enhance second language learning in a cosmopolitan city, and presents some possible ways to increase learners’ motivation and competitiveness in the global economy.

scholarly journals Teaching English Language at SSC Level in Private Non-Elite Schools in Pakistan: Practices and Problems

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Muhammad Fareed ◽  
Saniya Jawed ◽  
Sidra Awan
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Writing Skills ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Teaching Writing ◽  
Teaching English ◽  
Elite Schools ◽  
English Language Teachers ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Compulsory Subject

<em>English language is taught as a compulsory subject up to graduate level in Pakistani educational system. Despite studying English for over 14 years, majority of students coming from non-elite schools, lack required command in English language skills to pursue their higher education and professional careers. With this background in mind, the current research focused on teaching English reading and writing skills and the problems faced while teaching these skills at Secondary School Certificate (SSC) level in private non-elite schools in Karachi. The sample of the study comprised 20 SSC level students, 12 SSC level English language teachers of non-elite private schools and 5 student notebooks. Data were collected through open-ended questionnaires, group interviews and notebook analysis. Data were examined using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that teaching English language reading practices include reading the text aloud, translating the chapter, providing the central idea and meanings of difficult words to the students. The major problems faced by the teachers in teaching reading skills are learners’ lack of interest in reading, lack of concentration and low reading comprehension skills. The study also revealed practices of teaching writing skills such as provision of model texts and relevant vocabulary items. The major problems while teaching writing skills are lack of pre-writing activities, learners’ deficient command over vocabulary, grammar, spellings and punctuation, lengthy syllabus and limited time.</em>

scholarly journals Being an Effective Writing Teacher: Understanding Writing Theories behind the Product, Process, and Genre Approaches

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-47
Author(s):  
Pariwat Imsa-ard
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Writing Skills ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Teaching Writing ◽  
Writing Teacher ◽  
Teacher Understanding ◽  
Product Approach ◽  
Teaching Of Writing

Writing takes part in everyday life, such as taking notes and writing emails. In learning, passive knowledge on students’ minds can be transformed into their own language through writing. Moreover, the ability to write in a second language, English for instance, is considered as a crucial tool nowadays. Students who want to pursue their higher education are required to take an English language proficiency exam, such as IETLS and TOEFL, which constitutes the assessment of writing skill. Consequently, it is important that a writing teacher should possess the ability to teach writing effectively and to help students enhance their writing skills. As there are a number of different approaches to the teaching of writing, this paper begins with an overview of teaching writing and explores three main approaches–product approach, process approach and genre approach. In each approach, the strengths and limitations of such an approach in teaching practice will then be analysed. Subsequently, this paper will discuss and examine how an understanding of such theories regarding teaching writing helps a writing teacher to be most effective in the classroom and how it can support their teaching.

scholarly journals Challenges Faced by Students and Teachers on Writing Skills in ESL Contexts: A Literature Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aixa Hafsha
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Schools ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Writing Skills ◽  
Teaching Writing ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Esl Teachers ◽  
International Language ◽  
The World ◽  
Language Writing

English is an international language and in demand today. English is by far the most widely used language around the world. However, English language writing has always been a challenge for second language students to master. Developing students’ ability in writing is one of the major challenges faced by the ESL teachers in most schools nowadays. Nevertheless, writing has always been a major difficulty faced by students in English language learning, especially in elementary schools. Not only that, teachers are also facing some challenges in teaching writing skills for students in elementary schools. Thus, this study aims to explore the challenges faced by both the students and teachers in learning as well as teaching writing skills in elementary schools.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document