The needs and performance of the students and their success in acquiring the target language should be the primary considerations in any language classroom. The authors of this paper, one a native English speaker and the other an EFL speaker, both experienced process ONLY classrooms and feel that the lack of product left them unprepared for the requirements of the "real world." A final "product" that contains errors is unacceptable in real world work environments.
Sacrificing the "product" will result in a student assuming his/her composition was acceptable, while it was not. The syllabus used in this study does adequately balance product and process approaches. The process based parts of the class reinforce the fact that content and organization are key elements; simultaneously, the product based parts place emphasis on error-free product. These two achievements are really the goal of learning composition, especially in Asia where English is usually taught for use in work environments.
One of the advantages of the computer generated feedback, in this approach, was that students developed a critical viewpoint of their errors. What was accomplished in this study was to give students a chance for active learning, which is beneficial and rewarding for them. Self-correction with computer feedback and teacher guidance is a more worthwhile investment of time and effort for teachers and learners as the statistics indicate.
The application of QBL-like systems can be helpful and effective in a first year college English writing syllabus. QBL, like other CALL software, has not performed perfectly and could not take the place of a teacher. There are problems as the previous research indicates. It is, however, not uncommon during the development of any teaching software that bugs must be ironed out.
Human teachers should not be discouraged because of computer and software imperfections. The authors would not argue that this, or any other, software can function better than a real teacher. The rationale here was to minimize the objective and simple mechanical errors made by the students and maximize the efficiency of the time spent in learning and teaching.
The instructors did not expect the QBL system to be "perfect," an unrealistic expectation, but they did hope to achieve the goal of introducing computers, for writing English, to students and also reduce the workload of the instructor in a writing class. What most researchers understand is that the question is not so clear cut as, "can software perform better than teachers?" Rather, the issue is a complex one that involves trade-offs and requires continued research.
Bolt, P. (1992). An evaluation of grammar-checking programs as self- help learning aids for learners of English as a foreign language. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 5(1-2), 49-91.
Brock, M. N. (1990). Customizing a computerized text analyzer for ESL writers: cost versus gain. CALICO Journal, 8, 51-60.
Caudery, T. (1995). What the "process approach" means to practicing teachers of second language writing skills. TESL-EJ, 1(4), A-3 (16p).
Coniam, D. (1991). A simple syntax analyzer? In J. Milton & K. Tong (Eds.), Text Analysis in Computer assisted language learning, (pp. 132-138). Hong Kong: Hong Kong University of Science & Technology.
Holland, V.M., Maisano, R., Alderks, C., & Martin, J. (1993). Parsers in tutors: what are they good for? CALICO, 11(1), 28-46.
Horowitz, D. (1986). Process, not product: Less than meets the eye. TESOL Quarterly, 20 (1), 141-4.
Kirn, E. & Hartmann, P. (1990). Interactions 1 a writing skills book. New York: McGraw-Hill Publishing Company.
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Webster, J. (1991). Text analysis using the functional grammar processor, In J. Milton & K. Tong (Eds.), Text analysis in computer assisted language learning, (pp. 139-157). Hong Kong: Hong Kong University of Science & Technology.
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Adapted from Interactions I (Kirn & Hartmann, 1990).
| Content | Good | Needs work |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Interesting information | [ ] | [ ] |
| 2. One central idea (focus) | [ ] | [ ] |
| Organization | ||
| 1. Unity (the paragraph is a distinct unit that has one basic purpose) | [ ] | [ ] |
| 2. Coherence (sentences are logically connected) | [ ] | [ ] |
| 3. Continuity (the connection of the sentences is smooth) | [ ] | [ ] |
| Grammar | ||
| 1. Choice of words | [ ] | [ ] |
| 2. Use of pronoun | [ ] | [ ] |
| Form | ||
| 1. Paragraph form | [ ] | [ ] |
| 2. Spelling | [ ] | [ ] |
| 3. Use of punctuation | [ ] | [ ] |
| Content | Good | Needs work |
|---|---|---|
| Level of interest of information | [ ] | [ ] |
| Organization | ||
| 1. All information about one day | [ ] | [ ] |
| 2. Coherence (sentences are logically connected) | [ ] | [ ] |
| 3. Continuity (the connection of the sentences is smooth) | [ ] | [ ] |
| Cohesion and Style | ||
| 1. Connecting sentences with and, so, but | [ ] | [ ] |
| 2. Use of also | [ ] | [ ] |
| Grammar | ||
| 1. Tense agreement | [ ] | [ ] |
| 2. Pronouns | [ ] | [ ] |
| Form | ||
| 1. Paragraph form | [ ] | [ ] |
| 2. Spelling | [ ] | [ ] |
MY FIRST DAY AT FENG CHIA UNIVERSITY
It was really not my day,I thought.I had a training of freshman at 7:50 AM,andI also decided to get up at 6:30 AM,butI woke up at 7:00. I rode to school in a hurry,butI found the parking space was full,soI parked my motorcycle ouside.When I ran to the gallering space,I did'nt see any classmate of my class.I searched back and forthandI almost cried. Eventually I found them when Nancy called me.Oh! I just wished I could go home right now.
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Check: ,
Rule Class: Punctuation
Advice: Usually this punctuation mark (`,`) needs a space after it.
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Check: .
Rule Class: Punctuation
Advice: Usually this punctuation mark (`.`) needs a space after it.
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Check: andI
Rule Class: Spelling
Advice: Spelling error.
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Check: butI
Rule Class: Spelling
Advice: Spelling error.
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Check: ,
Rule Class: Punctuation
Advice: Usually this punctuation mark (`,`) needs a space after it.
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Check: ,
Rule Class: Punctuation
Advice: Usually this punctuation mark (`,`) needs a space after it.
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Check: AM
Rule Class: Abbreviation
Advice: The correct abbreviation when referring to a time before noon is `a.m.` or `A.M.`
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Check: AM
Rule Class: Abbreviation
Advice: The correct abbreviation when referring to a time before noon is `a.m.` or `A.M.`
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Check: butI
Rule Class: Spelling
Advice: Spelling error.
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Check: soI
Rule Class: Spelling
Advice: Spelling error.
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Check: ouside
Rule Class: Spelling
Advice: Spelling error.
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Check: ,
Rule Class: Punctuation
Advice: Usually this punctuation mark (`,`) needs a space after it.
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Check: ,
Rule Class: Punctuation
Advice: Usually this punctuation mark (`,`) needs a space after it.
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Check: .
Rule Class: Punctuation
Advice: Usually this punctuation mark (`.`) needs a space after it.
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Check: gallering
Rule Class: Spelling
Advice: Spelling error.
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Check: did'nt
Rule Class: Spelling
Advice: Spelling error.
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Check: ,
Rule Class: Punctuation
Advice: Usually this punctuation mark (`,`) needs a space after it.
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Check: .
Rule Class: Punctuation
Advice: Usually this punctuation mark (`.`) needs a space after it.
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Check: did'nt see
Rule Class: Subject-Verb Agreement
Advice: The singular _subject_ `did'nt` takes a singular _verb_, not the plural verb `see`.
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Check: I
Rule Class: Pronoun Case
Advice: The _subject pronoun_ `I` should not be used in the _object_ position.
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Check: forthandI
Rule Class: Spelling
Advice: Spelling error.
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Check: almost cried
Rule Class: Custom Rule Class 1
Advice: placing 'almost' in front of the verb will modify that verb, meaning that the action nearly takes place but never does; place 'almost' closer to the expression it modifies
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Check: .
Rule Class: Punctuation
Advice: Usually this punctuation mark (`.`) needs a space after it.
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Check: Oh
Rule Class: Noun Phrase
Advice: An _article_ or other _modifier_ usually precedes the word `Oh`.
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Check: I
Rule Class: Sentence Variety
Advice: You have used `I` to begin 4 of the last 10 sentences. Consider more variety with your sentence openers.
Being Deaf
I am convinced that no one will be bothered by honking, shouting, if being deaf. There is no more argument of couples. And we will have a nice sleep every night. We can live near an airport without worrying the noise. Working in an industrial factory whose noise is over 120 decibels can not be harmful to ears. People looks like kind without hearing their speakihg. In public, even though the voice is getting louder and louder, my ears still will not feel uncomfortable. Therefore, I would like to be deaf in some occasions.
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Check: And
Rule Class: Custom Rule Class 2
Advice: Try not to begin a sentence with the word 'And.' Join this sentence together with the last or make your idea more clear in this sentence.
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Check: speakihg
Rule Class: Spelling
Advice: Spelling error.
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Check: People looks
Rule Class: Subject-Verb Agreement
Advice: The plural _subject_ `People` requires a plural _verb_, not the singular verb `looks`.
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Check: even though
Rule Class: Wordy
Advice: Simplify.
My First Day at Feng Chia University The orientation started at 7:50 a.m. I wanted to get up at 7:00, but I woke up at 7:20. After riding to school in a hurry, the parking space was full, so my motorcycle needed to be parked off campus. When running to the Recreation Hall, there were many freshmen there. There were also many freshmen finding their classmates. Eventually, I saw my classmates and fortunately it was not too late.
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Check: The
Rule Class: Capitalization
Advice: The word `the` in a name or title is not usually capitalized, unless it is the first word.
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