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English‐language creative writing in mainland China
Author(s) -
DAI FAN
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
world englishes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.6
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1467-971X
pISSN - 0883-2919
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-971x.2010.01681.x
Subject(s) - mainland china , perspective (graphical) , creative writing , china , english studies , college english , sociology , mainland , english language , pedagogy , mathematics education , psychology , linguistics , political science , literature , visual arts , art , law , philosophy
This paper presents the background, purpose and components of a creative writing course conducted in the Department of English at Sun Yat‐sen University as part of the reform in the teaching of English in China. It explains and demonstrates the different components of the course and argues, drawing on evidence from students’ work and reflections, that creative writing motivates students to write, is a good vehicle for improving students’ proficiency in English, and enables them to think critically, and to share their common experiences. Creative writing is presented not just as an effective way to teach English as a second language but also to enhance students’ personal development in general. It is hoped that such a course will eventually make it possible for more Chinese writers to share their unique cultural perspective with a wider audience through the medium of English.