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Second‐Language Composition Instruction, Computers and First‐Language Pedagogy: A Descriptive Survey
Author(s) -
Harvey T. Edward
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
foreign language annals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.258
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1944-9720
pISSN - 0015-718X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1944-9720.1987.tb02937.x
Subject(s) - composition (language) , ibm , mathematics education , computer science , curriculum , character (mathematics) , foreign language , intermediate language , psychology , linguistics , pedagogy , programming language , mathematics , philosophy , materials science , geometry , compiler , nanotechnology
This study reports on a survey of selected second‐language instructors' views on the use of computers in second‐language composition instruction. Data are reported for 208 (from a total of 1,678) full‐time instructional faculty at universities, two‐year colleges, and high schools across the nation. Most respondents taught one‐semester courses whose enrollment sizes were increasing. Text use for the majority of programs is three years or less. This corresponds to the advent of process‐model texts. Apples and IBM‐PC's predominate among the hardware available. The lack of foreign‐character support remains the major frustration reported. Essay analyzers are new to nearly everyone. There is mixed opinion about the real versus the expected benefits of using word processors as part of composition instruction. However, the time appears right for a paradigm shift and curriculum definition to include computer‐assisted composition instruction.