Second language writing
Encyclopedia
Second-language writing
is the name usually given to the study of writing performed by non-native speakers/writers of a language
, whether as a true second or foreign language
.
In addition to disseminating research through the Journal of Second Language Writing
, scholars in the field regular participate in three academic conferences, the Symposium on Second Language Writing, the TESOL
convention, and the Conference on College Composition and Communication
.
, is an international conference on second language writing.It was a biennial event through 2006, and annually after that. It has been hosted at Purdue University six times, but the 2007 symposium was held in Japan
, and the 2009 was held at Arizona State University
. The 2010 will be held in Murcia, Spain
in March 2006, covering topics ranging from “Broadening Perspectives in Second Language Writing” and “Alternative Placement Methods for Second Language Writers” to “Issues in Technologies for L2 Composition Classrooms” and “Crossing Bridges with Second Language Writing Partnerships.”
As these suggest, the section provides a forum for researchers and educators at different grade levels and institutional settings to discuss second language writing. Specifically, the section's goals are:
The section facilitates communication
about writing across teaching levels and settings. Recent research on the scope of second language writing scholarship suggests that most of the field’s nationally (within the U.S.) and internationally circulated scholarship is produced by scholars in post-secondary education at research intensive institutions. Other contexts for writing (Pre-K through 12, two-year colleges, community programs, international K-12
schools, etc.) often have much larger populations of ELL/EFL writers, but scholars, particularly teacher-researchers, in these settings do not often receive support for researching and writing.
Given this, the section provides scholars with the opportunity to initiate more research and scholarship in these underrepresented contexts by supporting new collaborations and partnerships across levels and by providing a forum for discussing shared experiences. The section, like its parent body, TESOL, is distinctive in including all the academic levels and areas.
Much recent attention focuses on the potential of Computer-mediated communication
(CMC) to foster desire and opportunity to write.
In addition, attention has been focused on the practical application of teaching Second Language writing not only in academia but in the field. See the ESL Guide .
Writing
Writing is the representation of language in a textual medium through the use of a set of signs or symbols . It is distinguished from illustration, such as cave drawing and painting, and non-symbolic preservation of language via non-textual media, such as magnetic tape audio.Writing most likely...
is the name usually given to the study of writing performed by non-native speakers/writers of a language
Language
Language may refer either to the specifically human capacity for acquiring and using complex systems of communication, or to a specific instance of such a system of complex communication...
, whether as a true second or foreign language
Foreign language
A foreign language is a language indigenous to another country. It is also a language not spoken in the native country of the person referred to, i.e. an English speaker living in Japan can say that Japanese is a foreign language to him or her...
.
In addition to disseminating research through the Journal of Second Language Writing
Journal of Second Language Writing
The Journal of Second Language Writing is a peer-reviewed academic journal in the fields of linguistics and language education. Its scope encompasses all aspects of second and foreign language writing, including writing instruction and assessment. It was established in 1992 and is published...
, scholars in the field regular participate in three academic conferences, the Symposium on Second Language Writing, the TESOL
TESOL
TESOL may refer to:* The acronym "Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages", used in English as a Foreign or Second Language * TESOL Inc., a professional organization based in the United States for people working in this field...
convention, and the Conference on College Composition and Communication
Communication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
.
Symposium on Second Language Writing
The Symposium on Second Language Writing, which began in 1998 at Purdue UniversityPurdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
, is an international conference on second language writing.It was a biennial event through 2006, and annually after that. It has been hosted at Purdue University six times, but the 2007 symposium was held in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, and the 2009 was held at Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
. The 2010 will be held in Murcia, Spain
Second Language Writing at TESOL, Inc.
In June 2005, the TESOL Board added of a new interest section on writing. The Second Language Writing IS; it held its first meeting in TampaTâmpa
Tâmpa may refer to several villages in Romania:* Tâmpa, a village in Băcia Commune, Hunedoara County* Tâmpa, a village in Miercurea Nirajului, Mureş County* Tâmpa, a mountain in Braşov city...
in March 2006, covering topics ranging from “Broadening Perspectives in Second Language Writing” and “Alternative Placement Methods for Second Language Writers” to “Issues in Technologies for L2 Composition Classrooms” and “Crossing Bridges with Second Language Writing Partnerships.”
As these suggest, the section provides a forum for researchers and educators at different grade levels and institutional settings to discuss second language writing. Specifically, the section's goals are:
- to increase awareness of the significance of writing in teaching ESLESLESL is a common abbreviation for English as a Second Language, see English language learning and teaching.ESL may also refer to:-Companies:...
/EFL, - to encourage and support the teaching of writing to ESOL students at all levels,
- to provide a forum to discuss issues of writing assessment and the placement of second language writers, and
- to disseminate and promote researchResearchResearch can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
on second language writing
The section facilitates communication
Communication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
about writing across teaching levels and settings. Recent research on the scope of second language writing scholarship suggests that most of the field’s nationally (within the U.S.) and internationally circulated scholarship is produced by scholars in post-secondary education at research intensive institutions. Other contexts for writing (Pre-K through 12, two-year colleges, community programs, international K-12
K-12
K–12 is a designation for the sum of primary and secondary education. It is used in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand where P–12 is also commonly used...
schools, etc.) often have much larger populations of ELL/EFL writers, but scholars, particularly teacher-researchers, in these settings do not often receive support for researching and writing.
Given this, the section provides scholars with the opportunity to initiate more research and scholarship in these underrepresented contexts by supporting new collaborations and partnerships across levels and by providing a forum for discussing shared experiences. The section, like its parent body, TESOL, is distinctive in including all the academic levels and areas.
Second Language Writing at CCCC
Second language writing scholars also participate in a Special Interest Group on the field at CCCC . In addition, the organization has a Committee on Second Language Writing to bridge work between CCCC and TESOL to involve more scholars in the field’s discussions.Much recent attention focuses on the potential of Computer-mediated communication
Computer-mediated communication
Computer-mediated communication is defined as any communicative transaction that occurs through the use of two or more networked computers...
(CMC) to foster desire and opportunity to write.
In addition, attention has been focused on the practical application of teaching Second Language writing not only in academia but in the field. See the ESL Guide .