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last.updated 2.10.08
The Grammar Debates
Purpose
L2 writing
is an issue unto itself mostly because L2 student writers rarely produce
native-like prose; instead their prose is often marked by various types
of grammatical errors. While we have already discussed the politics and
the theory surrounding the perceptions of L2 writing errors, today we
will address what to do. The discussion will focus on the ongoing debate
between Truscott and Ferris about whether teachers should correct L2 student
writers' errors.
Before Class
- Read Truscott "The case against grammar correction in L2 writing classes" [BB]
- Read Ferris "The case for grammar correction in L2 Writing classes" [Journal of Second Language Writing 8.1]
- Read Ferris "The grammar correction debate in L2 writing" [Journal of Second Language Writing 13.1]
- Read Truscott "The effect of error correction..." [Journal of Second Language Writing 16.4]
- Submit PAB #2 to the Blackboard Discussion Board by the beginning of class
Discussion: L2 Writers & L2 Writing
We will discuss the following:
- We will define interlanguage fossilization and orthography
- What questions do you have about the readings for today's class?
Students will be divided into four groups. Each group will...
- be assigned one of the four articles
- identify the author's argument and the premises that support this argument
- assign one person to write what the group has learned on the board
You have twenty-five minutes, then we will continue to discuss the following:
- Using your group work, we will discuss the evolution of the grammar debates between Truscott and Ferris
- Where do you position yourself in this debate?
- What questions do you have about their discussion of research?
Activity: Responding to Student Writing
Place yourself in the position as an instructor of first-year writing or the language arts. Despite your position on the grammar debates, the institution you work for expects that students in your course will be capable of composing mostly error-free prose. Each of you will be given the same piece of student writing.
Respond to this piece of writing keeping your position on Truscott and Ferris's debate in mind. Then write a short explanation justifying why you responded to this writing as you did. You will have 30 minutes; we will then discuss your responses.