Second Language Writing in Transitional Spaces

This collection has been written to address the fact that there seems to be little concerted, systematic effort to understand what type of writing is taught across elementary, secondary, and college second language (L2) writing contexts and to understand how it is being taught on this long educational continuum (K–16). This book sets out to contribute to what is perceived as a lack of the full picture on the teaching of L2 writing from K–16. The impetus to look across educational settings, particularly at the places of transitions, stemmed in part from the recent state-wide educational reforms. Given the gap in the L2 research that straddles all educational settings, this volume addresses the need for a closer teacher collaboration and deeper, clearer understanding of writing goals in each of the educational settings and across them on the K–16 continuum.

The chapters examine the writing that English learners are producing because of the Common Core and the writing they are required to do once they reach the college or university, and then consider where the intersections exist—that is, what do educators think English learners ought to be writing across educational levels?

Each chapter describes the educational setting where the researchers were engaged, examines specific issues related to transitions, and offers—where relevant—recommendations for classroom practices, teaching strategies, and instructional materials that may be useful for practicing teachers and all others professionally engaged in educating writers across K–16.