Tag Archives: second language writing

Memes and GIFs for Writing Development

Betsy Gilliland
Betsy Gilliland

As a consumer of social media, I have long been fascinated with memes, particularly those that relate to topics I am invested in, like teaching, literature, or composition. Memes, usually consisting of an image file overlaid by a short text, … Continue reading

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Writing Letters in the English Language Classroom

Betsy Gilliland
Betsy Gilliland

The winter holidays often bring with them greeting cards from friends and relatives living near and far. One of the things I like the most about these cards is the letters some people include, telling about their family activities over … Continue reading

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Writing About Food: 5 Activities for the Language Classroom

Betsy Gilliland
Betsy Gilliland

November begins an intensive season of holidays around the world, from Día de los Muertos on November 1-2 to Chinese New Year in February. Many of these festivities include traditional foods that vary by culture and region. Food is a … Continue reading

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Writing Activities to Make the Most of Being Back in the Classroom

Betsy Gilliland
Betsy Gilliland

As a new academic year starts, I’m excited to be back to teaching in-person classes without the restrictions of social distancing. While the last 2 years have been fruitful in pushing me to think of how to engage my students … Continue reading

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Elementary School Writing for MLLs: Interview With Joanna Wong

Betsy Gilliland
Betsy Gilliland

Joanna Wong, Associate Professor, College of Education, California State University, Monterey Bay, is an elementary school teacher educator who holds a PhD in education focused on language, literacy, and culture. Drawing on her previous work as a bilingual teacher in … Continue reading

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Writing Across the Curriculum

Betsy Gilliland
Betsy Gilliland

As TESOL professionals, we often think of ourselves as English teachers whose primary work is supporting our students to learn the English language. Learning English entails learning how to use English for various purposes, including writing in school and college. … Continue reading

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Assessing Writing

Betsy Gilliland
Betsy Gilliland

I am  collaborating with a Japanese colleague to revise a rating scale for the undergraduate English for Academic Purposes program at her university. She had noticed that even though the program had developed an analytic rubric, some high scoring essays … Continue reading

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Travel Writing Activities: Escape From Cabin Fever

Betsy Gilliland
Betsy Gilliland

Every new year holds much promise as we look ahead: 12 months of possibility for learning and adventure. Sitting in my house in the middle of a week of pouring rain, however, after nearly 2 years of staying close to … Continue reading

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