Grammar correction debate

Dear all,

For tomorrow's session, we will be discussing whether grammar correction has an important place in L2 writing courses. We will also explore various issues such as responding to student writing and the frequency vs accuracy issues in teaching of L2 writing .

Note that for tomorrow's session we will specifically focus on Ferris vs. Truscott debate, so for those of you who are not familiar with the grammar correction debate or didn’t teach L2 writing before, I would encourage you to read the optional Ferris (1999) article (The case FOR grammar correction: A response to Truscott) before you read her 2004 publication. Certain points in her rebuttal written in 2004 may make more sense if you read her 1999 piece. This is one of the most controversial matters in L2 writing scholarship, and as many of you also pointed out in last week's discussion this controversy often emerges in many ESL/EFL teachers day-to-day pedagogical practices.

I look forward to hearing/reading your responses to the grammar correction debate in L2 writing.


Happy reading,
Lisya