What is Write Away Right Away?

Write Away Right Away is a low-intermediate level EFL writing course designed specifically for Japanese students. The text can be used successfully at universities, junior colleges, vocational schools, language schools, and high schools as well. Write Away Right Away can be used as the main writing coursebook in a 4-skills program, or as a supplementary text in mixed-skill courses.

What kind of syllabus does Write Away Right Away have?

Write Away Right Away emphasizes the process approach to writing. The students learn that writing is not a first time perfected activity--every composition is edited, revised and rewritten. Although writing as a process is emphasized, more traditional areas of writing instruction are included as well. Grammatical patterns, form and mechanics, organization, and useful vocabulary are all presented in controlled tasks in which students practice the language they will need for their composition. The tasks are enjoyable, realistic, interactive and communicative.

Write Away Right Away has a unique syllabus design in that neither grammar, function, topic nor vocabulary was the starting point in developing the materials. The prime consideration was that the activities be motivating to the average English student in the target population. Write Away Right Away has a "motivational" syllabus because the average English student in Japan is poorly motivated. This is especially true for the skill of writing. The text was designed for students who dislike or fear writing. Through stimulating and personal activities students learn that writing can be interesting and enjoyable.

The next consideration was including practical types of writing that also build the learners' general English skills. Some of the types of writing included are penpal letters, postcards, business letters, directions, comparing and contrasting, describing a restaurant, describing a person, invitations, and narratives. The text contains 10 units of factual, creative and personal writing.

Additionally, throughout the course students practice journal writing and freewriting. Journals are written to provide a communicative exchange between the instructor and student, to improve writing fluency, and to practice language students are learning in other courses. Freewriting is done to help students to think in English, to increase writing speed and fluency, and to overcome writer's block.

At the end of each unit is a Fun Writing Activity. These activities allow the students to practice less controlled types of writing, and also give a needed break before they move on to more controlled activities in the upcoming unit.

In addition to the 10 units, the Appendix at the end of the book has teaching suggestions and answer keys.

What makes Write Away Right Away so different?

• Write Away Right Away is specifically designed for Japanese students in all aspects of the syllabus: motivation, vocabulary, grammar, topics, functions, etc. The majority of texts claiming to be designed for the Japanese market are, in fact, aimed at a larger Asian/world market. Write Away Right Away meets the needs of Japanese students better because it focuses on the needs of a specific population.

• Write Away Right Away is a process-based text with a multi-syllabus approach. Most writing texts have only a grammar or rhetoric-based approach.

• There are very few writing texts that have the variety of activities found in Write Away Right Away. Because rigid uniformity often leads to boredom, the units do not follow a repeated pattern as most texts do. The units progress from presentation to controlled practice, and then on to less controlled practice. But the text accomplishes this with different kinds of activities for each unit.

• Write Away Right Away contains listening-speaking exercises that increase student interaction and motivation to write.

• Write Away Right Away combines individual work, pair work, and group work to make for a stimulating writing class.

• Most writing textbooks have the teacher as the only audience for students' writing. In contrast, many of the tasks in Write Away Right Away are designed so that students write to an audience other than the teacher.

• Write Away Right Away has been field tested in Japan for over six years with both poorly motivated and highly motivated students. It has been updated and revised based on feedback from thousands of students and numerous teachers.