Re: fluency in writing
Robert Bahruth (rbahruth who-is-at claven.idbsu.edu)
Thu, 12 Feb 1998 11:24:02 +0100
Sufumi, I would say that writing assesment begins by determining each
student's relative comfort when facing the blank page (or screen as the
case may be). I believe strongly in Donald Grave's assertion that "Error
correction is not teaching, never was and never will be." (Austin, TX 1987
NCTE Regional Conference Keynote). When learners are too self conscious of
error, fluency suffers. I use dialogue journals which emphasize meaning
over form and encourage my ESL students to write quickly about their
personal lives, feelings, endeavors, etc. Then I respond to them. You
might look at Dan Kirby & Tom Liner: Inside/Out: Developmental Strategies
for Teaching Writing (Heinemann Educational Books 603 431-7894 // FAX
6034314971
Marketing Sheila Peters Tracy (orders)
Also by Heinemann Writing: Teachers & Children at Work by Graves. &
Freire for the Classroom by Ira Shor which is geared toward adults.
Excellent stuff.
roberto