Teaching Composition Writing in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) at the Tertiary Level: A Balanced Curricular and Instructional Approach

Wissenschaftlicher Aufsatz aus dem Jahr 2010 im Fachbereich Didaktik für das Fach Englisch - Pädagogik, Sprachwissenschaft, , Sprache: Deutsch, Abstract: This study resulted from concerns about teaching composition writing in English as a foreign language (EFL) at the tertiary level at the universities in Bangladesh since the learners at the level appear to have disappointingly low proficiency in composition writing. It was conducted among 135 undergraduate students, and revealed two major problems in the subjects' EFL composition writing: linguistic errors and structural anomalies. To solve these problems, the researchers suggest utilizing a balanced curricular and instructional approach, that is, an amalgamation of the product and the process approach to teaching composition writing. Based on the blend of the two approaches to teaching composition writing, this paper advocates some guidelines which can be employed to help improve instruction in and enhance effective learning of EFL composition writing. Key words: EFL composition writing, tertiary level, low proficiency of learners, concerns about teaching, the process approach, the product approach, a balanced curricular and instructional approach

M. Maniruzzaman, former Chairman of and current Professor in the Department of English at Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh, Vice President of English Teachers' Association of Bangladesh (ETAB), Global Professional Member of TESOL International Association, and Associate Member of IATEFL, obtained MA in English Language and PhD in Applied Linguistics & ELT from the University of Dhaka, completed e-Teacher Methodology for TESOL at the University of Maryland BC, e-Teacher Assessment at the University of Oregon, e-Teacher Educational Technology at Iowa State University and ELT-LMCP offered by TESOL International Association, and attended PDW-2013 at the University of Oregon, USA. His core interests cover TESOL methodology, curriculum and syllabus design, materials development, assessment and testing, educational technology, L2 teacher education, ELT leadership and management, and literatures in English. He has 30 years teaching and research experience and a large number of indexed and international publications including research papers, translations, book reviews, book chapters and books. His recent publications are 'The postmethod pedagogy: Critical reviews and contextual reflections', The Postmethod Pedagogy: Issues of Learning and Teaching, 1.1, 2020; 'English Phonetics and Phonology: A Blended Learning Design Plan', Academia Letters, Article 1313, 2021; 'Technology in Teaching ESL/EFL: Integration, Application, Tools and Resources', in Arvind Nawale, M. Maniruzzaman, Amar Singh and Saumya Priya (Eds.), New Trends and Digital Adoption: A Paradigm Shift in Higher Education, New Delhi: Authors Press, 2022; and 'Teachers' narratives from initial virtual classrooms and professional development during the COVID-19 pandemic in developing Bangladesh' (co-author), Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 23 (3), 2022.