L1 and L2 Writing Differences: From Understanding to Practice

US Department of State. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of English Language Programs, SA-5, 2200 C Street NW 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20037. e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://americanenglish.state.gov/english-teaching-forum-0

Y

10

Teachers

Native Language; Second Language Learning; Second Language Instruction; English (Second Language); Transfer of Training; Writing Processes; Contrastive Linguistics; Comparative Analysis; Writing Instruction; College Students; Foreign Students; Error Patterns; Secondary School Students; Teaching Methods; Educational Resources; Language Teachers; Instructional Improvement; Sentences; Form Classes (Languages)

1559-663X

When it comes to L1 and L2 differences in second-language writing, some researchers are not fully convinced that there is a fundamental difference. However, when comparing L1 and L2 writing, many would agree that macro- and micro-level writing characteristics exist and overlap (Eckstein and Ferris 2018). This article identifies some of the consistent differences between L1 and L2 writing in English through a review of existing literature and practical observations from consultants at the Vanderbilt University English Language Center who provide one-to-one writing support for L2 university students at the U.S.-based institution. The L1 and L2 writing differences are presented in three categories: word-level, sentence-level, and global-level. Frequent tendencies and common errors of L2 writers are featured within the categories. To support the transfer of information into practice, the authors also include tips and sample activities for each of the three categories of L1 and L2 writing differences. While much of the information in this article could be transferred across L1 and L2 learning contexts, the tips and activities described have been selected for intermediate to advanced L2 learners in secondary or tertiary academic settings. The main goal is to provide an accessible resource for English-language instructors who are seeking to better understand L1 and L2 writing differences to improve their teaching practice.

ERIC

2020

EJ1274839