Different types of writing are important in a language class. Throughout the course, the students need to be given the opportunity to study a variety of different texts. This is a requirement of the curriculum. Exposing the students to different texts, such as short stories, novels, essays, news articles, poetry, etc. is very easy to do in a language course because most courses are designed to include a variety of units that each focus on a different type of writing.
I don't feel that the second part of today's question related necessarily to English or French courses. There is no content, per se in language courses. The content that needs to be covered is the content and the analysis process of the chosen text. Unlike a science course for example, where you study the specific content by reading non-fiction articles, or encyclopedia entries, or lab reports, etc. In language classes, by studying different types of content, we are exposing the students to the different content.
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Writing Narrative: Mode of Writing (February 2)
The most conventional and necessary type of writing in language class, either English or French is the literary essay, otherwise a long answer response. This is a requirement across the board for intermediate/senior level English, as well as French classes. It is a very important skill to practice, but in many cases a skill that needs to be learned and developed, even at the high school level. It can not be assumed that by high school students are good writers.
Being a strong writer means being competent in many areas. In order to write effectively, a student has to be able to implement planning strategies, communicate ideas clearly, construct arguments, organize their ideas as well as deal with writing mechanics. There are many skills that need to be effectively taught and managed when preparing students for writing.
Finally, essay writing skills need to be modelled for the students. In order to due this, I would, as a class, respond to a prompt on the projector screen by developing a thesis, creating an outline, and writing an essay together to give struggling students, and all students a better and more clear idea of the expectation.
By doing so, we are helping the students who need this type of explicit instruction, but also offering tips and hints to all of the other students.
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Writing Narrative: The Power of Poetry (January 26)
I feel that poetry is a powerful way to encourage writing. Although it takes an idea, just like the traditional writing process, I think it is easier to get started. A beginner writer can start by putting together words that rhyme. They can start with the most basic poem about any topic, and it can grow from there. Poetry allows for an expression unlike any other kind of writing. It can encompass so much thoughtful writing, and yet I think it can be a very effective way and getting students engaged in the writing process because you need only to focus on a single line at a time. Unlike traditional writing where you need a general outline, poetry can start with a given topic and and extend in any creative direction. Traditional writing assignments at school are most often assigned with a specific purpose whereas in my experience, poetry is assigned with the sole objective writing a poem. In traditional writing, the student is more limited because they have to write to respond to the purpose of the essay or assignment. For this reason, I think poetry is positive way to integrate students into writing because there is so much more freedom. Finally, I think that by showing them interesting and engaging poetry such as slam poetry, you can inspire a spark to continue writing.
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As a teacher of
languages, there is not a focus on content the same way as a science or history
class must deliver content. The focus is on the writing itself. I chose a
newspaper article as a mentor text. This text acts as a professional example,
outlining the conventions of a typical news article. The level is an
appropriate for what would be expected of intermediate or senior students. The
content of this text could be studied for a variety of purposes. Students could
explore the structure and specific of newspaper articles. They could explore
how newspaper articles answer the who, what, where, when, why and how, and
examine how that information is presented within the article. The article could
also be used to generate written reflections and responses. The content of the
article is interesting and somewhat controversial, which makes it effective in
generating responses. I used this text with my grade 11 French immersion
classes during practicum. It provoked the students to think, reflect and write
about the ideas presented. It was certainly a valuable contribution to their
writing process.
Mentor Text: Ventres à louer
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Writing Narrative: Importance of Writing (January 12)
Writing by hand has become a novelty rather than a
necessity with the integration of technology in daily life. Writing is now
often considered a lesser-used form of communication and has in many cases
become a less practiced skill in language classrooms.
Technology however has only made writing more visible.
Communication in today’s most common forms; text message, email, social media
posting, blog entry and online comment has in many cases taken the place of
oral communication and all rely on written words. The ability to write is
therefore increasingly vital as there are now infinite applications for writing
through a variety of means, across all subjects and fields.
Writing should therefore be a prioritized skill in
education, specifically language classrooms. If writing is neglected in the
language course, it sends the message that it in not an important or necessary
skill.
I believe that writing is often assumed to be a basic
skill taught and mastered in the early years of schooling and therefore ignored
at the intermediate and senior levels.
The growing presence of written text increases the
importance of teaching good writing skills as well as proper grammar and
spelling.
You make an interesting point about how being a language teacher means that you focus is on writing itself. I believe that this opens up a lot of possibilities to allow students to explore their own ideas and experiences and as you also note above, poetry is a great way to do this!
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