Authors:
Grami M. A. Grami
1
and
Basem Y. Alkazemi
2
Affiliations:
1
King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
;
2
Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia
Keyword(s):
ESL Writing, Collocation, Lexical Phrases, Search Engines.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Computer-Supported Education
;
Context Dependent Learning
;
e-Learning
;
Information Technologies Supporting Learning
;
Learning/Teaching Methodologies and Assessment
;
Pedagogy Enhancement with e-Learning
;
Ubiquitous Learning
;
Web-Based Learning, Wikis and Blogs
Abstract:
Writing is one of the most difficult skills to learn and it gets more complicated when students learn to write in another language. In fact, results of language proficiency tests such as IELTS shows a systematic tendency of Arab students scoring less in writing than any other skill. Obviously there are various reasons that complicate the task of ESL writing but we focus here on the incorrect combination of words, more specifically collocations and lexical phrases, and its relation to L1 interference. We propose an alternative approach in teaching ESL writing which utilizes common search engines in finding out not only correct usage of words but systematic types of errors so they can be avoided. Moreover, students can use such an approach to validate their writing style in their coursework.