Location: ESS Foreign Language Institute 4th Floor map and directions
At 2pm- "Focusing on Form in English Writing"
Many EFL teacher view teaching writing as a joyless task filled with late nights of red pen correction overload, but it doesn't need to be that way. In this presentation, we will examine the misconception of teacher-centered writing instruction, and offer practical tools to empower the student writer. Together, we will examine the main stylistic differences between Korean and English writing, and then deliver a step by step guide to English composition that teachers can implement quickly in their classrooms. We will focus on a holistic writing strategy, rather than individual sentence construction, which allows our students to pursue the communicative results of comprehensive writing. Targeted editing will be explained and modeled as a way to replace the common "intensive grammar instruction" approach. This methodology works at any stage of the language learning process, as it was originally developed with elementary and middle school Korean students, so examples of implementation strategies will be presented for various age levels. Another benefit of this approach is the malleability of subject matter available, as demonstrated by various university student majors. This will be exhibited through a detailed review of Task Based Learning unit plans coupled with resultant student writing samples. Shifting the onus of work from the teacher to the student is the main idea behind this approach, so hopefully it will help writing teachers put down their red pens (or at least use less ink). Overall, "Focusing on Form in English Writing" will give teachers a different way to think about their role in the process of English composition teaching.
BIO:
Mark Davis holds a Master of Arts in Teaching (English) from Union Graduate College in New York, USA. He has lived in South Korea since 2011, and is currently an Assistant Professor of English Composition at Sejong University in Seoul. During his first year in Korea, he worked as a TOEFL Writing/Speaking Teacher at an English academy in Changwon. His interests include curriculum design, Task-based language learning, specialized writing for STEM students, and Job Skills development. He encourages feedback at markdouglasdavis@gmail.com.
Holliday party to follow
The presentation is to be followed by a Chapter Holiday Party around 3:15. The holiday party will include light refreshments, games, prizes, a holiday gift swap*, and Barbara Waldern, chapter president, will lead us in a round of Christmas carols.
We encourage those who wish to attend to bring a holiday snack to share. BG-KOTESOL will provide beverages and a few snacks.
*If you would like to participate in the gift swap please bring a wrapped gift valued at no more than 10,000 won.
