| Even Ernest Hemingway Had to Learn to Write | | | | into soap operas that make millions. |
| We said in the first article of this series that there are | | | | "You see, there's this really cute guy in my English |
| no native writers of English or any other foreign | | | | class who I like but he's kinda seeing this other girl who |
| language for that matter. Each of us, no matter what | | | | I can't stand - but my best friend told me that he said |
| our first language is, must learn to write in a clear, | | | | he was going to quit that girl, so I'm thinking, what |
| logical manner that promotes easier reading. Even the | | | | should I do to...?" (Remember to break for a |
| legendary Ernest Hemingway had to "learn" to write. | | | | commercial right before all the "juicy" parts) |
| And so it is with our foreign language learners. So here | | | | 3. Relevant Link Lists |
| in the second article of this series, we'll continue with | | | | Are your language learners internet or video game |
| some passionate writing assignments which will | | | | addicts? Well then, it's highly likely they can easily come |
| motivate our English as a Foreign Language (EFL) | | | | up with a list of links or websites useful to them and |
| learners to strut their stuff on paper or the keyboard | | | | their "passion". So let them! Allow them to create a list, |
| and screen without undue concern for "correctness" | | | | then detail each item on it. They could compare the |
| that might inhibit the free flow of words and ideas. | | | | links, contrast them or illustrate any variety of |
| 1. Compiling of Specialized Lists | | | | relationships between the links they've chosen to write |
| How about writing a list, and then of course, | | | | about. How did they find them? How often do they |
| expounding in detail on its content? It can be a list of | | | | use or visit? Why? Ask for and expect details - and |
| anything (almost) that motivates your learners. From | | | | the unexpected. As long as it's not a list of best porno |
| the "Ten Best" discos, restaurants, boutiques, bars, | | | | sites of whatever, you should get some good really |
| movies, sports cars, game web sites, video games or | | | | interesting results for this writing assignment. Just |
| videos, hot entertainers or whatever else, you can | | | | remember to set some "ground rules" for the writing |
| derive a writing assignment piece which allows you to | | | | and topics. If your language learners are anything at all |
| really "strut your stuff", so to speak. Doing so thereby | | | | like mine are, you'll be glad you did! |
| produces a worthwhile piece of writing far and above | | | | Passionate Writing Assignment Ideas That Are |
| the usual "dreck" that passes for essays and | | | | Coming Up |
| compositions these days. The language learners need | | | | Okay, so we'll wrap it up for this second article of the |
| only to choose their topic, draft their "list", then detail the | | | | series now. In the next installment of "Motivate Your |
| elements of each list item to the best of their | | | | Language Learners with These Passionate Writing |
| knowledge and abilities. And finally "Voila!", a paper you | | | | Assignment Ideas", we continue once again with some |
| can read without your soul filling with tears - or worse. | | | | Task-Based-Learning writing ideas to keep the words |
| 2. Help and Advice or Answers to Peer Topic | | | | and ideas flowing from the pens, pencils or computer |
| Questions | | | | (or even typewriter) keyboards of your English as a |
| How about inviting your language learners to write an | | | | Foreign Language learners. If your language learners |
| "answer" to a common or at least plausible situation | | | | like watching videos, playing video games or enjoy one |
| question? You know, kind of a "Dear Abbey" type of | | | | or more of a score of other performing arts, then you'll |
| question and detailed answer response to the question, | | | | be "in the clover" when using our upcoming writing |
| situation or problem. Producers turn this kind of drabble | | | | assignment ideas. See you then. |