18. The importance of teaching writing. Process oriented approach in teaching creative writing

Teaching writing is one of the most important aspects of teaching a foreign language. Writing helps pupils to assimilate letters and sounds of the English language, its vocabulary and grammar; to develop skills and habits in speaking and reading. In the process of writing students learn that writing involves thinking, reflection and multiple revisions. Today more and more people need to learn to write in English for occupational or academic purposes. Writing remains the commonest way of examining student performance in English. All public examinations include writing an essay.

From the research conducted during the past years there has emerged a process-oriented approach to teaching writing. Experts recognize that writing is a complex dynamic, nonlinear process. The process has a number of distinct stages. These include:

pre-writing

At this stage the writer gathers information. Activities may include: drawing, talking, thinking, reading, listening to tapes and records, discussion, interview, problem solving, conducting library research and so on. At this stage students must have a good grasp on what their ideas are and how they interact. Such pre-writing technique as clustering can help students to map out their thoughts on a topic or subject and then choose ones to use.

drafting

At this stage students develop their ideas on paper. In the process-oriented approach, the focus is on content, not the mechanics of writing. Separation of grammar and content is important. According to students' experience the beginning may be painful and difficult, they hesitate to put their thoughts on paper because of their fear of errors. Here the instruction of the teacher is invaluable. If the teacher is encouraging and supportive, students will go ahead and write, dealing with grammar errors later.

revising

At this stage students make all the changes they think are necessary. They may add, delete, change in syntax, sentence structure and organization and even start over completely.

The teacher helps students correct their mistakes. But the problem is that the students often want the teacher to completely take over all the correction of grammar. Here the students themselves must learn to take over the role of the teacher. Students can look up the word in the dictionary. Peer correction can also be effective.

editing

At this stage students polish their drafts. They give attention to spelling, punctuation, grammar and hand writing.

To sum up, the new approaches in teaching writing emphasize it as a process, which has the following stages: pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing.

19. Types of foreign language lessons. Requirements for the lessons

There are the following types of lessons:

1.Presentation and primary consolidation

2.Practice of language and speech habits

3.Production

4.Combined

5.Non-traditional

In the orgnization of the lesson there is always a wide range of possibilities. However, there are certain requirements which should be observed:

• Every lesson should begin with a greeting in the foreign language and a brief talk between the teacher and the students.

• There should be a variety of activities at every lesson, including pronunciation drill, oral activities, exercises for reading and writing.

• The lesson should be conducted at a high speed when oral drill exercises are performed. Students shouldn't stand up to say a word, a phrase or a sentence.

• The lesson should provide a certain sequence in students' assimilating language material and developing habits and skills: perception, comprehension, memorizing, usage following a model, usage in new situations.

• The lesson should provide time for the activity of each student in class.

• The lesson should provide conditions for students to learn.

• The work done during the lesson should prepare students for their independent work at home.

• The lesson should be well equipped with teaching aids and materials.