Two Views of Writing Lynn W Zimmerman, PhD

Learning and Acquisition Learning – writing must be taught directly Acquisition – writing is acquired as students use written language for real purposes

Learning: Classroom Practices Teacher’s beliefs about writing as learned or acquired shapes classroom practices Writing is learned divide writing into component parts and teach each part directly and systematically focus on handwriting, spelling, punctuation, grammar, and conventional organizational forms writing full sentences, coherent paragraphs, and the 5-paragraph essay with a clear beginning, middle, and end

Acquisition: Classroom Practices Teachers view of writing from acquisition perspective focus on comprehensible written language write with their students create workshop-type structures students work together as they write written language develops best when students focus on message and form close connection between reading and writing

Side by Side Learning view of writing Acquisition view of writing Focus on form Focus on form and content Topics assigned and students’ writing corrected Gradual release model of language writing experience Component parts – directly taught Workshops for sharing the process Writing conventions taught Authentic writing purposes

Your Experience Which is most common in your experience, learning or acquisition? What do you think about the differences between the two views? How can a teacher who is learning-focused bring more of acquisition view into the classroom? Should a teacher who espouses the acquisition view teach form?

References Freeman, D. & Freeman, Y. (2014). Essential linguistics. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.