TSL3107 TEACHING WRITING SKILLS IN THE PRIMARY ESL CLASSROOM
LESSON 1:NATURE AND PURPOSE OF WRITING
1
TSL3107 TEACHING WRITING SKILLS IN THE PRIMARY ESL CLASSROOM
What is writing?
2Definitions:Writing is a method of representing language in
visual or tactile form
(http://www.omniglot.com/writing/moon.htm)
A system for interpersonal communication using visible signs or
graphic symbols on a flat surface such as paper, cloth or even
stone slabs (Chitravelu,N. et.al , 2005)
Written language is simply the graphic representation of spoken
language (Brown, H.D, 2001)
Writing is usually learnt through systematic instruction,
example in schools or a child is taught to write by his / her
parent. Mohd Iskandar TSL3107 Lesson 13
What is writing?
4What is writing system?Definitions:A system of more or less
permanent marks used to represent an utterance in such a way that
it can be recovered more or less exactly without the intervention
of the utterer.(The World's Writing Systems)
A set of visible or tactile signs used to represent units of
language in a systematic way, with the purpose of recording
messages which can be retrieved by everyone who knows the language
in question and the rules by virtue of which its units are encoded
in the writing system.(The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Writings
Systems)
What is writing?
5Writing system:Writing systems use sets of symbols to represent
the sounds of speech, and may also have symbols for such things as
punctuation and numerals.All writing systems use visible signs with
the exception of the raised notation systems used by blind and
visually impaired people, such asBrailleandMoon. Hence the need to
include tactile signs in the above definition.
What is writing?
6Writing is like swimming (Brown, H.D, 2001)Unlike walking and
talking, swimming and writing are culturally specific, learned
behaviours.We learn to swim if there is a body of water and if
someone teaches usWe learn to write if we are a member of a
literate society and usually if someone teaches us.
What is writing?
7We see various kinds of writing everyday (newspaper, adverts,
bills, notices, etc) that we sometimes take reading for grantedWe
forget that not everyone can write (if not taught, or due to
certain cognitive conditions)As a teacher we need to:Be very
familiar with what writing is all aboutKnow why people writeKnow
what kinds of things they write and for what purposeKnow what a
writer of different kinds of writing needs in order to write
successfullyKnow the various stages in the development of writing
skills
Comparison between writing in KBSR & KSSR Similarities Both
involves penmanship.
The pupils started off with the same word level.
8
Differences
9KBSRKSSRThe pupils are taught to plan, draft, revise and edit.
- Begin at word and phrase level and progress to sentence and
paragraph levels.Pupils learn to write at word, phrase and sentence
levels.Emphasis on spelling and dictation Didnt mention about
it.Use just one curriculum specification for year 1 till 6. Clear
state the learning standards of each year
