Teaching EFL Writing and Reading Interactively

James Oladejo

Department of English

National Kaohsiung Normal University

Interactive Teaching as a Triangle

• Interaction among students• Interaction between students and teacher• Interaction between students and

materials in language teaching

The role of the teacher in making it possible goes beyond merely presenting the items to be learnt. Co-operative learning is the ultimate goal

Participants in Interactive Teaching

Teachers – Students- Materials

What the Teacher Should Do

• Understand the students’ needs• Be ready to adopt and adapt new ways

and ideas• Encourage and promote collaboration

among learners• Be flexible and ready to accept divergent

points of view about language teaching

The role of the Students

• Willingness to learn and co-operate• Desire to follow instructions • Determination to never give up

Interactive Writing - Steps

• Selecting authentic topics – interest, learning experience/cognitive level, purpose of teaching and learners’ needs

• Collaborative brainstorming – Oral composition; joint compilation

– Organization – Drafting and presentation

Interactive Writing Activities

• Activity 5 : Joint Writing • Activity 4: Jumbled Story• Activity 3: Word Pyramids • Activity 2: The Writing Blitz • Activity 1: Power Writing

(see your other handout for detail)

Teaching Reading Interactively

• Pre-reading discussion and focusing• Content reading• Comprehension and discussion• Application and reflections

(The following is an example)

Pre-reading

• Do you have a brother, sister or partner?• Do you love this person very much?• Would you share things with him/her?• Is there anything you would hold back?• How deep is your love of this person? Use an

adjective to describe it.

(After the pre-reading, now read this following story)

Post Reading Activities

Make a list of things that you would share and another that you would not share with anyone

Give three reasons why you would not share such things in your list

Exchange your list with the person next to you and talk about the lists.

Have you learnt any new word in this story? Create your own story of a strange, but moving

moment or event

Conclusion –Linking Reading and Writing

• Reading helps vocabulary development• Reading is the other wing of writing• Through extensive reading, students can

learn how to express themselves and organize their ideas

• Reading helps with organization of information

• Punctuation and other errors in writing can be reduced through reading