ITL - International Journal of Applied Linguistics - Volume 156, Issue 1, 2008

Abstract

Global simulation is described as “simultaneously an approach, a set of classroom techniques, and the conceptual framework for a syllabus” (Levine, 2004, p. 27). Students create a fictive yet culturally grounded world, assume the role of a self-developed character, and collaborate with fellow community members (Magnin, 1997). Despite its numerous cited advantages, there are no known empirical studies evaluating the influence of global simulation on language learners. This study evaluated how global simulation influenced the development of intermediate-French students’ writing self-beliefs and text quality. Significant differences were found in Intermediate French students’ writing self-efficacy, writing self-concept, writing anxiety, and text quality in organization, content, and creativity after participation in a global simulation curriculum. No significant differences were found in students’ self-efficacy for self-regulation, perceived value of writing, or text quality in grammar and expression. Implications for researchers and educators are discussed.

Abstract

Among scholars there is disagreement on the benefits of corrective feedback on second language learners’ written output. While some researchers advocate the usefulness of corrective feedback, Truscott claims that all error correction is unnecessary, ineffective, and even harmful, in that it diverts time and energy away from more productive aspects of writing instruction. Until now, research outcomes cannot settle this debate since only short-term effectiveness of corrective feedback could be demonstrated. Due to methodological shortcomings, results from studies that investigated long-term effects of error correction on accuracy improvement are inconclusive.

By trying to overcome some of these design related drawbacks (i.e. the lack of a proper control group and time-on task differences between treatment groups), the present study intends to make a contribution to the ongoing error correction debate. The effectiveness of direct and indirect corrective feedback was compared to the effect of two control treatments: a treatment that offered students an extra opportunity to practice their writing skills, and a treatment in which students self-corrected their errors without any available feedback. Results show that corrective feedback can be effective in improving students’ accuracy: while short-term effects were found for both direct and indirect corrective feedback, only direct feedback proved to have a significant long-term effect. Neither of the control treatments had a significant effect on students’ accuracy.

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of using Strategic and Interactive Writing Instruction (SIWI) with deaf, middle school students who use American Sign Language as their L1 and written English as L2. Using a pretest-posttest control group design, the research explores whether students receiving SIWI made significantly greater gains compared to those not receiving SIWI on a number of variables. There were 33 total students, 16 in the treatment group and 17 in the comparison group. The intervention lasted a total of 8 weeks, during which time the treatment group collaboratively constructed two report papers using SIWI components, and the comparison group continued with their typical literacy instruction. The pre and posttest measures were scored, according to rubrics, for evidence of primary traits, contextual language, and conventions. The multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and follow-up univariate analyses were statistically significant. Furthermore, effect sizes (d) were large to very large, ranging from 1.27 to 2.65, indicating SIWI to be an effective approach with deaf L2 writers.

This article reviews Academic Writing in a Foreign Language. An extended Genre Analysis of Student Texts

This article reviews Goals for Academic Writing: ESL Students and their Instructors

This article reviews Letter Writing