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Chapter 16. Can writing facilitate the development of grammatical competence?

Advancing research agendas
  • Charlene Polio
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Writing and Language Learning
This chapter is in the book Writing and Language Learning

Abstract

Although the act of writing should, theoretically, facilitate grammatical development for second language learners even more so than speaking, most of the empirical research only indirectly supports this view, and some research even contradicts it. In this chapter, I first discuss theoretical support for the role of writing in grammatical development and then summarize related research with six different foci. Next, I propose studies related to these areas, including some conceptual replications and extensions, that might help illuminate any facilitative effects, or lack thereof, on grammatical development through writing.

Abstract

Although the act of writing should, theoretically, facilitate grammatical development for second language learners even more so than speaking, most of the empirical research only indirectly supports this view, and some research even contradicts it. In this chapter, I first discuss theoretical support for the role of writing in grammatical development and then summarize related research with six different foci. Next, I propose studies related to these areas, including some conceptual replications and extensions, that might help illuminate any facilitative effects, or lack thereof, on grammatical development through writing.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Introduction
  4. Chapter 1. Writing and language learning 3
  5. Part I. Advances in theoretical perspectives
  6. Chapter 2. L2 writing and L2 learning: Transfer, self-regulation, and identities 29
  7. Chapter 3. A dual-process model of L1 writing processes 49
  8. Chapter 4. Toward an agenda for researching L2 writing and language learning 73
  9. Chapter 5. L2 writing-to-learn 95
  10. Part II. Advances in empirical research
  11. Chapter 6. The effects of task repetition across modalities and proficiency levels 121
  12. Chapter 7. Effects of task repetition with the aid of direct and indirect written corrective feedback 145
  13. Chapter 8. Task modality, communicative adequacy and CAF measures 183
  14. Chapter 9. A mixed-methods approach to exploring the L2 learning potential of writing versus speaking 207
  15. Chapter 10. Processing output during individual L2 writing tasks 231
  16. Chapter 11. Investigating the relationship between peer interaction and writing processes in computer-supported collaborative L2 writing 255
  17. Chapter 12. The meaning-making potential of collaborative L2 writing at tertiary level 281
  18. Chapter 13. Writing on history in a Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) context 309
  19. Part III. Advances in future research agendas
  20. Chapter 14. An ISLA perspective on L2 learning through writing 335
  21. Chapter 15. Can writing facilitate the development of a richer vocabulary? 357
  22. Chapter 16. Can writing facilitate the development of grammatical competence? 381
  23. Coda
  24. Chapter 17. The language learning potential of L2 writing 405
  25. Index 427
https://doi.org/10.1075/lllt.56.16pol

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Introduction
  4. Chapter 1. Writing and language learning 3
  5. Part I. Advances in theoretical perspectives
  6. Chapter 2. L2 writing and L2 learning: Transfer, self-regulation, and identities 29
  7. Chapter 3. A dual-process model of L1 writing processes 49
  8. Chapter 4. Toward an agenda for researching L2 writing and language learning 73
  9. Chapter 5. L2 writing-to-learn 95
  10. Part II. Advances in empirical research
  11. Chapter 6. The effects of task repetition across modalities and proficiency levels 121
  12. Chapter 7. Effects of task repetition with the aid of direct and indirect written corrective feedback 145
  13. Chapter 8. Task modality, communicative adequacy and CAF measures 183
  14. Chapter 9. A mixed-methods approach to exploring the L2 learning potential of writing versus speaking 207
  15. Chapter 10. Processing output during individual L2 writing tasks 231
  16. Chapter 11. Investigating the relationship between peer interaction and writing processes in computer-supported collaborative L2 writing 255
  17. Chapter 12. The meaning-making potential of collaborative L2 writing at tertiary level 281
  18. Chapter 13. Writing on history in a Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) context 309
  19. Part III. Advances in future research agendas
  20. Chapter 14. An ISLA perspective on L2 learning through writing 335
  21. Chapter 15. Can writing facilitate the development of a richer vocabulary? 357
  22. Chapter 16. Can writing facilitate the development of grammatical competence? 381
  23. Coda
  24. Chapter 17. The language learning potential of L2 writing 405
  25. Index 427
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