Exploring Students' Perception of ESL Writing

Many ESL (English as Second Language) learners' are unable to produce an appropriate piece of writing for their colleges' requirements. Hence, knowing learners' needs, perceptions of an academic writing course, and their writing ability levels will lead to offering them the right assistance or the right program.

Connor (1996), highlighted that learners’ usually bring with them to the ESL writing class the whole culture of first language education including the cultural patterns of first language writing which may influence second language writing.

The learners’ were aware that they need to improve their writing ability in English. However, there is a misconception about that. They thought that they have good language competence and they were good writers, but, in fact, they still needed to work harder to acquire the basic writing skills. Also, their first language has influenced their ability to develop proficient writing skills in the second language.

            In ESL class, the teacher should consider the influence of the first language when writing a text in the second language. Moreover, when writing programs and textbooks, the teacher should take into account not only learners’ needs but everything that might affect their learning abilities.

Source: “Exploring Students' Perception of ESL Writing” by Dr. Sadiq Abdulwahed Ahmed Ismail, published in 2011 by Canadian Center of Science and Education.

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