New Directions For Research In L2 Writing

This book describes the current psycholinguistic research being conducted internationally on better understanding second language (L2) writing. It is based on an experimental research tradition arising from recent progress made in methodology, technology and theory in both native and second language writing. It is unique in that it is specifically geared to better understanding L2 writing and how it relates to L1 writing research in the psycholinguistic tradition.

This volume brings together the perspectives of new and established scholars who have connected with the broad fields of first language (L1) and second language (L2) writing to discuss critically key methodological developments and challenges in the study of L2 writing processes. The focus is on studies of composing and of engagement with feedback on written drafts, with particular attention to methods of process-tracing through data such as concurrent or stimulated verbal reports, interviews, diaries, digital recording, visual screen capture, eye tracking, keystroke logging, questionnaires, and/or ethnographic observation. The chapters in the book illustrate how progress has been made in developing research methods and empirical understandings of writing processes, in introducing methodological innovations, and in pointing to future methodological directions. It will be an essential methodological guide for novice and experienced researchers, senior students, and educators investigating the processes of writing in additional languages.

'I applaud the authors for this sizeable undertaking, as well as the care exercised in selecting and sequencing topics and subtopics. A major strength and salient feature of this volume is its range: It will serve as a key reference tool for researchers working in L2 composition and in allied fields.' – John Hedgcock, Monterey Institute for International Studies Synthesizing twenty-five years of the most significant and influential findings of published research on second language writing in English, this volume promotes understanding and provides access to research developments in the field. Overall, it distinguishes the major contexts of English L2 learning in North America, synthesizes the research themes, issues, and findings that span these contexts, and interprets the methodological progression and substantive findings of this body of knowledge. Of particular interest is the extensive bibliography, which makes this volume an essential reference tool for libraries and serious writing professionals, both researchers and practitioners, both L1 and L2. This book is designed to allow researchers to become familiar with the most important research on this topic, to promote understanding of pedagogical needs of L2 writing students, and to introduce graduate students to L2 writing research findings.

This book responds to the changes and needs of English Language Learning by offering insight into online writing pedagogical platforms and atmospheres. Language learning enriched with technology, web tools and applications have become a necessary ingredient in language education internationally. This volume provides an in-depth understanding of writing practices that are responsive to the challenges for teaching and learning writing in local and global contexts of education. It also provides succinct knowledge at the intersection of technology with teaching, learning, and research. The chapters herein creatively take advantage of the affordances of digital platforms and further critiques their limitations. The book also delineates knowledge on concepts, theories, and innovative approaches to digital writing in the field of teaching and learning English. The chapters focus on reviews and provide guidance on the practical use of Web 2.0 and multimedia tools as well as presenting research on technology integration in writing classes.

While assessment and feedback tend to be treated separately in the L2 writing literature, this book brings together these two essential topics and examines how effective classroom assessment and feedback can provide a solid foundation for the successful teaching and learning of writing. Drawing upon current educational and L2 writing theories and research, the book is the first to address writing assessment and feedback in L2 primary and secondary classrooms, providing a comprehensive, up-to-date review of key issues, such as assessment for learning, assessment as learning, teacher feedback, peer feedback, portfolio assessment, and technology enhanced classroom writing assessment and feedback. The book concludes with a chapter on classroom assessment literacy for L2 writing teachers, outlines its critical components and underscores the importance of teachers undertaking continuing professional development to enhance their classroom assessment literacy. Written in an accessible style, the book provides a practical and valuable resource for L2 writing teachers to promote student writing, and for teacher educators to deliver effective classroom writing assessment and feedback training. Though the target audience is school teachers, L2 writing instructors in any context will benefit from the thorough and useful treatment of classroom assessment and feedback in the book.

The current volume aspires to add to previous research on the connection between writing and language learning from a dual perspective: It seeks to reflect current progress in the domain as well as to foster future developments in theory and research. The theoretical postulations contained in Part I identify and expand in novel ways the diverse lenses through which the varied, multi-faceted dimensions of the connection between writing and language learning can be explored. The methodological reflections put forward in Part III signal theoretically-grounded and pedagogically-relevant paths along which future empirical work can grow. The empirical studies reported in Part II illuminate the myriad of individual, educational, and task-related variables that (may) mediate short-term and long-term language learning outcomes. These studies examine diverse forms of writing, performed in varied environments (including pen-and-paper and digital writing), conditions (writing individually and/or collaboratively), and instructional settings (academic settings – including secondary school and college level institutions – as well as out-of-school contexts).

Studying language, discourses, and contexts of use—as well as student needs, in the broadest sense—and then applying these findings to the pedagogical practices, is what distinguishes ESP from other branches of applied linguistics and language teaching. The fundamental arguments in this volume are that ESP researchers must use all of the tools available to systematically assess the needs, identities, and issues faced by learners and the language and discourses of their contexts—as well as the “frames” brought to the context by the researchers themselves. In addition, ESP researchers must continue to develop the convergence between research, teaching, and learning as the profession continues to advance. This volume has two parts: Issues in ESP Research, which includes chapters by Ken Hyland, Brian Paltridge and Wei Wang, An Cheng, Diane Belcher and Lauren Lukkarila, and Anna Mauranen, and Methodologies and ESP Research, which includes chapters by John Flowerdew, Christine Tardy, Sue Starfield, Ann Johns and Leketi Makalela, Lynne Flowerdew, and Magdi Kandil and Diane Belcher. Fittingly, John Swales, the father of ESP and author of Episodes of ESP, has contributed some remarks to close this important volume about the future of ESP.

In this first book-length treatment of collaborative writing in second language (L2) classrooms, Neomy Storch provides a theoretical, pedagogical and empirical rationale for the use of collaborative writing activities in L2 classes, as well as some guidelines about how to best implement such activities in both face-to-face and online mode. The book discusses factors that may impact on the nature and outcomes of collaborative writing, and examines the beliefs about language learning that underpin learners' and teachers' attitudes towards pair and group work. The book critically reviews the available body of research on collaborative writing and identifies future research directions, thereby encouraging researchers to continue investigating collaborative writing activities.