Developing writing skills

When exploring writing with our learners, it’s important for both teachers and learners to be aware of the processes and sub-skills this involves, as well as the impact the purpose and audience has on the planning and execution of the text.

  1. We usually write with a specific audience/reader in mind, so texts need to be written in the appropriate style (register, tone and following genre conventions).
  2. In our day-to-day life, we often write in response to something we’ve read or heard. For example, someone writing an email to summarise the conversations in a meeting, a learner writing a report on research findings, a friend messaging another about a social media post they’ve just seen.
  3. Our message needs to be easily understood by a reader, so we have to consider the language we use, the length of the text, and how we organise our ideas.
  4. We often go through different stages when we write (eg planning, drafting and re-drafting), and that process has an impact on the final text.
  5. Sometimes it is necessary to include quotes and references to add depth and legitimacy to a text.

About this guide for teachers

This resource is for English language teachers looking to explore and develop writing skills with their language learners. It includes:

  • Techniques for the English language classroom
  • Guidance on adapting and creating writing resources to fit the interests and needs of your English language learners
  • Considerations for setting up writing tasks
  • Information on formative assessment and other opportunities to assess your learners' writing skills
  • Details of further support resources and CPD opportunities

All guides in this series

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