How to Improve Student Writing in Foreign Languages

Journaling can help students practice their writing skills every day.

You will find that some students excel at writing in a foreign language, while others struggle. Divide class time between speaking and writing activities to improve student writing in foreign languages. Similar to the way that you build on the language when introducing new vocabulary and grammatical concepts, you should also have your students build on their writing skills by gradually introducing more difficult challenges.

Instructions

1. Reinforce grammar lessons through writing sentences. After you teach a new grammar technique, have students write a number of sentences that use the technique. Encourage students to mimic the format shown in the textbook, but have them use alternative vocabulary words instead.

2. Require students to write in a journal every night. Even beginning students can write simple sentences, such as sentences about what they did throughout the day. Give students guidelines for how much you expect them to write -- new students may only write a few sentences, while you'd expect more advanced students to write a page. Practicing every day reinforces the skills.

3. Assign level-appropriate reading assignments. Through reading in the foreign language, students can begin to see how native speakers structure their writing, which can aid in the student's own writing. Advanced students may read full books in the foreign language, while new learners should read just a paragraph or two.

4. Start students writing with brief assignments. The task of writing a report or even a paragraph in a foreign language is daunting for many students. Sticking to small assignments helps students to break it down and feel more comfortable.

5. Encourage longer writing by assigning topics that interest your students. Students who are engaged with the material they write about will be happier to write longer pieces.

6. Review written work for both grammar and content. Return the students' assignments to them with notes for improvement.

Tips & Warnings

• Although it's tempting for students to want to write the piece in English first and then translate into the foreign language, Marquette University advises that students write only in the foreign language using words and grammar techniques they have already learned in class.

References

• Centre for Languages Linguistics & Area Studies; Writing in a Second Language; Alasdair Archibald
• Marquette University: Writing in Foreign Language and Literature Courses