January 14, 2014

Ramos, Elizabeth
Writing Seminar. Section 001.
Summary. Final version.
Helping ESL Writers Grow
The article Helping ESL Writers Grow was written by John M. Green in 1998.
When it comes to languages, the key to learn them is to be patient; at least, that is what
the author establishes in his article, and for writing, any type of texts, there are some points that
need to be taken in count. Of course, not only by the students, but also by the teachers. This is
why he focuses on the ideas of the best was to help ESL writers grow.
Green states that if students learn a new language, they need to be patient with
themselves, and their teachers need to learn to be patient with them. But, he also points out that
this is not an easy task when many of the students are non-native speakers; and that is when he
asks himself: how should teachers read and respond to the writing done by the students from
other language backgrounds that are still developing their English skills?
On the one hand, the author explains that there are natural orders in which learners from
all first language backgrounds tend to acquire grammatical structures in second languages, and
that language instruction can affect the rate at which students progress, but not the sequences of
acquisition themselves. In other words, students master grammar points when they are
developmentally ready, and not before.
On the other hand, the writer also says that no student reaches perfection on their first try,
and this is why is necessary to help them to write as accurate as possible. He considers that the
key to accomplish this is the communication between the teacher and his students; the emphasis
on communication will move from the sentence to the structure of the complete text. He also
points out the importance of the corrections the teachers make to their students because this way,
the professor shows interest in the students work. At the end, Green suggests that every teacher
needs to help their students learn to develop, express, and organize ideas in English so that they
can improve their writing skills; and of course, to encourage them to continue writing and
growing according to all the advices they are going to receive in every class.
REFERENCE:
1. Green,

J. (1998, January 3). Helping

http://lia.unet.edu.ve/ant/EstiloAPA.htm

ESL

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