Presentational Communication

1. Presentational Communication Written Oral March 22, 2011

2. Presentational Communication • Descriptive • Narrative • Demonstrative • Explanatory • Transformative

3. Second language writers • Second language learners=second language writers • Spoken language and written language very different, each with its own conventions • Written Arabic or Chinese very different from the spoken language • Learners with quite good speaking abilities in the second language still need to acquire the properties of formal written language

4. What is the best source of input for second language writers? • READING! • Exposes learners to formal written language • Through reading, second language writers find the type of language they need for their writing

5. Writing Process • Overall process not linear; set of thought processes • Process approaches to writing have been shown to produce better written products • Research on grammar instruction, type of task, type of prompt • Research inconclusive, however there are some implications for instruction

6. Implications for Instruction • Discuss and teach the writing process • Teach students to self-monitor and self-reflect • Design writing tasks to reflect authentic purposes and genres • Provide focused practice on syntax • Combine reading and writing • Design writing tasks carefully

7. Writing as a Process • Shift from focus on writing as product to focus on writing as process • Two key elements of writing process: • the rhetorical problem • knowledge of the topic

8. Vocabulary, Grammar, Syntax • Use of appropriate vocabulary enhances effectiveness • Tools: semantic mapping and semantic clustering • Varied vocabulary • Grammar • does not guarantee writing competence • depends on task • design task to address thematic or lesson objectives, not grammar points!

9. ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines-Writing • Serve to evaluate both spontaneous and reflective writing • Learners may not always begin at novice level • Teachers may find it useful to refer to the guidelines as they are designing presentational writing activities

10. Formats for Presentational Communication at the Secondary Level • Can develop naturally from interpretive mode • Descriptive activities • Narratives • Demonstrations • Explanatory presentations • Transformative presentations • Teacher should present all tasks within a process-oriented approach!

11. Types of feedback • No feedback (Portfolio Approach) • Focus on Content (Praise, Criticism, Suggestion) • Focus on Form (Focused Error Correction) • Writing Workshop Conferences (One-On-One or Small Group) • Peer Review

12. Scoring Methods • Holistic (Integrative, Global) • Analytic • Primary Trait • Multiple Trait • Teachers should use these methods throughout the year with different types of writing assignments