WRITING

As Byrne (1991) suggests, to integrate skills is very important when teaching a foreign language since each skill contributes to develop the others in different ways but the main benefit when developing writing skill is that although during the process mother tongue can be used; the final result is totally in English. Byrne (1991) and Harmer (2004) let us know some useful strategies but emphasizing they can be followed using cooperative work. I consider that suggestions as “Newsmag, interviews, writing for analysis, imaginary or real planning” (Byrne, 1991) can be complemented by copying, following models as well as using collective imagination, collective brainstorming (Harmer, 2004); always taking into account SS characteristics and context, giving them the opportunity to express their own ideas by writing development and personalizing spelling rules plus using other skills as they need them. The activities suggested by the authors present the opportunity to integrate skills, providing input and defining the task what improves SS motivation giving them the occasion to face meaningful and relevant writing. But as the main pourpose of this blog is to provide activites can be done in self-studied way; my favorite websites to do this are as follow:
http://englishforeverbody.blogspot.com/
http://parapal-online.co.uk/newcloze/letters/index.html
http://parapal-online.co.uk/eap.htm