[eal-bilingual] Influence of first language

Working with teachers and LA practitioners, the major issues in  
writing (cf. Lynne Cameron) and which would give the greatest gains  
to the largest number of pupils would appear to be:

1. Organisation of writing (paragraphs, collecting ideas together,  
chronology), appropriate opening and closing
2. Number of ideas (perhaps 4 big ideas in an essay)
3. Development of ideas (for each big idea - and topic sentence - 2/3  
smaller ideas to support & explain)
4. Maintenance of 'voice' (i.e. consistency of appeal to audience and  
recognition of purpose, use of appropriate register inc. Standard  
English)
5. Appropriate use of ideas from source text.

You will notice that they are all text level issues.

At sentence level, the major issue seems to be around using complex  
sentences and employing a range of connective devices to link  
clauses, sentences and even paragraphs.

These are issues which could be addressed with whole classes or  
groups of pupils and if the pupils take them on.

Other issues, such as consistency in use of tense, subject-verb  
agreements etc. will need to be addressed with individuals or small  
groups as appropriate, but will not have as large an effect on grades  
as will the 'big picture' issues.

Martyn Pendergast