Teaching of Reading and Writing

Brown Chapters 20 & 21

In these chapters Brown discusses the importance of reading and writing. As far as pronunciation and fluency go, I believe that the teaching of listening and speaking is critical. However, the teaching of reading and writing will be crucial in developing overall proficiency in the L2. I think back to my frustration of reading and writing in the L2 and it makes me want to help students reduce that frustration. I feel that the process takes time and it should be approached as a process. Learning a L2 requires learners to take a step back and start from scratch. I agree with Brown in the fact that readings should be interesting and socially up to date. The more interested students are in the material, their motivation levels will raise. Also, when students are given the opportunity to free write, their responses are much longer. I think that it is important for teachers to keep the anxiety levels down in class and to assist students in overcoming their frustration about writing and reading in the L2. For example, when a student is handed a lecture in the target language, they can be easily intimidated. Browns's satements on writing as a process and not a product are right on with teaching reading and writing. Teachers need to use strategies for reading and writing which the book provides examples. Reading and writing work together to improve one another. By working closely with students, we can help them create parts of the process in developing a written product. Also, by breaking down reading, students will learn strategies to approach difficult texts in the L2.  Overall, these chapters were a positive look at how to effectively teach these two essential aspects of learning a second language.