Abstract
This article addresses the learning of second language (L2) writing skills to show how pictures can be used as an effective guided writing tool to facilitate students' writing process and to improve their writing proficiency. A study was conducted with 53 university students who had a prior knowledge of Spanish in secondary school. All students were enrolled in an intensive review course. Writing ability questionnaires were administered before and after the writing instruction, in addition to a final review of the writing tasks involved. Writing assignments were both topic-selected and picture-guided; students found the activities valuable, absorbing, and helpful. Results demonstrate that the instruction of using pictures as a guided writing environment assisted beginning foreign language students to develop and improve their writing skills as well as to lower the anxiety level of expressing oneself in the target language. Findings suggest that foreign language teachers should be encouraged to use the pictorial approach for L2 writing education.
Department
Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Publication Date
1-1-1994
Journal Title
ERIC Clearinghouse on Language and Linguistics
Publisher
ERIC
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
ERIC Number: ED386951
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Lee, Lina. L2 writing: Using pictures as a guided writing environment. ERIC Clearinghouse on Language and Linguistics (ED 386951), Spring 1996. http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED386951.pdf