期刊名称：Electronic Journal of Foreign Language Teaching (e-FLT)
电子版ISSN：0219-9874
出版年度：2005
卷号：2
期号：1
出版社：National University of Singapore
摘要：Writing presents difficulties for non-native speakers of English for a number of reasons; grammatical accuracy issues are a constant focus. However, the problem of producing purposeful and practical documents should not be overlooked. In this paper, we consider the importance of functionality in writing as an outgrowth of workplace language learning activities. In our setting, 26 Japanese computer science students participated in a simulation in an academic English writing class. The constructs of the simulation had students employed at one of two rival computer software companies. The students were given role cards outlining a problem that required immediate action. Following group discussions, the members of each group needed to write a report in English providing advice to their respective company president concerning the direction the company should take. Observation of students’ writings revealed that students were able to identify and write about important discursive functional elements common to problem-solution documents. Furthermore, a qualitative analysis of posttest debriefings revealed that students were motivated throughout the simulation, and could see the long-term value of participating in the simulation. It is suggested here that carefully and appropriately designed simulations can be a very effective way to teach writing to second language learners.
