foreign language writing prompts coursework

Describe your country. What did you like or dislike about it? Past and future tense in one prompt? These 33 prompts cover lots of topics that are perfect for every level! Try translating a page from your novel, a news article, a song or poem. Writing in your target language is a great way to start producing sentences of your own and can help you acquire new vocabulary and practice grammatical structures. What do you eat for breakfast? If your vocabulary is limited, you might try simple responses, like “I like sports.” However, as your vocabulary gets more advanced, you can add more detail into your response. Or do we create our own destinies? Fluency Pending is an Amazon Associate and may earn from qualifying purchases. My favorite thing about soccer is hitting the ball with my head.”. The ACTFL criteria for assessing language level can be used with the can-do statements to have a clear understanding of the types of prompts that are appropriate to help the student progress. Knowing what you need to work on is essential for language study, and writing can help you detect what grammar rules you’re struggling with and what holes in your vocabulary you need to fill. Minh Thu Hoang from thatforeigngi, Reviewing batchim rules because my pronunciation i, Which type of language learner are you? While you’re writing, you’ll probably notice a few hiccups. Oh, the age-old interview question! I have loosely categorised these topics into Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced, but don’t get too hung up on these categories, especially at the Intermediate and Advanced levels. As an advanced student, you should be aiming to write without having to think too much. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages from music videos, commercials, news, inspiring talks and more. For instance, “I like sports, especially soccer. You could even break this one down into a series of prompts. You’re educated. This can give you practice with animal words, physical descriptions, food words and location-related vocabulary. You can use FluentU’s unique adaptive quizzes to learn the vocabulary and phrases from the video through fun questions and exercises. You can write about whatever you like, but you can’t go wrong with a love poem. There’s nothing quite like authentic content for giving you a good grasp and command of a language. What do you eat for dinner? Are you good at something? What is the weather like? Another fairly simple one suitable for beginners. From there, you can use all sorts of vocabulary words related to your career, family, housing, etc. Take a page from the lifestyle blogger’s playbook and write about your morning routine. After all, you can always re-purpose it down the road if need be. Look at old photos if you have them and describe them in your target language. How does it feel? Using this writing prompt can help you practice transitioning smoothly between tenses. Creative writing prompts are perhaps the best way to learn a new language. Write down some pros and cons. What do you think should be covered more in schools? Pick a topic that interests you and see how far you get. Quarantine project. What do you do once you’re there? To write well in your target language, you’ll need to also read in your target language. Translate a simple recipe into your target language. It’s true in your native language and target language: The best writers are avid readers. What nationality are you? This is a great way to learn the words for everyday household items. How can you resist? How do you deal with anxiety and fear? Not only can you use vocabulary that’s currently relevant, you can also use an array of verb tenses. To work in more advanced vocabulary, you might also note in what ways you challenged your parents and what you wanted to be when you grew up. Of the four pillars of language learning (reading, writing, listening and speaking), writing is an often underrated skill. I’m Elzette Wilkinson, a full-time writer and part-time language-learning dabbler from Cape Town, South Africa. Try not to get them lost! Today, we’re going to look at different writing prompts and how you can use them to give students a boost in the right direction. Great advice! We all have at least one cringe-worthy story. As language teachers we should ask our students to perform at their proficiency level and provide opportunities for them to progress in their proficiency by prompting them to perform slightly beyond their current level (i+1). What did you learn from that person? However, if you give it a try, you’ll be able to practice words related to society and politics. Take this world problems and turn them around! Can yo, There’s no straight path to ‘fluency’. I’m currently studying Mandarin Chinese as a third language. Addressing this issue gives you an opportunity to use education terms, present tense verbs and conditional verbs. Writing in a foreign language is a skill like any other. Start using FluentU on the website with your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes store or Google Play store. Writing Prompts for English Language Learners and Literacy Students by Bill Zimmerman Creator, Somethingtowriteabout.com and MakeBeliefsComix.com Art by Tom Bloom 123 Something To Write About Something To Write About 123 In ganobscik-williams, prompts character writing creative l. Ed. This can be a tricky task for the teacher. What scares you most? Write a diary entry detailing the events of your day and how you felt about them. With writing, there is less pressure to keep up with a conversation partner and keep the flow of conversation going. How do you get there? You can describe the experience, who you were with, what you did and what made it so enjoyable. We also participate in other affiliate advertising programs for products and services we believe in. In your native language, it’s probably an uncomfortable opportunity to reflect on your goals, but in your target language, it can be a valuable way to practice using future, conditional and/or subjunctive verb tenses while also employing industry-specific vocabulary. As an output skill, writing is perfect for introverted or quiet learners who find speaking stressful. When do you leave for work or school? Do you think video game violence encourages violence in real life? Additionally, your verb conjugation abilities are probably limited, so you may need to stick to the present tense. You can take this question in a wide variety of directions. What do you do for fun? Can you explain the rules of the game in simple terms? It reinforces them and makes them easier to use the next time. You might also note the genre and/or describe the characters. First, using foreign language writing prompts can help reduce anxiety when writing in your target language. Now, you can use a broader range of vocabulary words and verb tenses. Awesome of you to share this. The more you practice it, the easier it will become. Knowing what to write can sometimes be the hardest part. You might even work in some less common verbs to describe specific activities you participated in, like snorkeling or skiing. Project Gutenberg offers many classic works in several languages, and BBC News gives you news stories in a variety of languages. I owe a debt of gratitude to Darcy Rogers and Organic World Language (OWL) for making this so clear for me. What are their interests? For instance, you may want a word but realize you don’t know it. What are your responsibilities? How do you get ready for work or school? Describing the best out-of-the-ordinary experience you’ve had, whether a vacation or any other break from daily routine, gives you an opportunity to use plenty of past tense verbs. Do you have any traditions or festivals? Writing poetry can be a fun way to use your language skills. FluentU brings language learning to life with real-world videos. © 2020 Enux Education Limited. Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you Writing Samples This collection of grade-level writing samples provides teachers of English Language Learners with examples of student writing at each proficiency level. Try your hand at writing a short flash fiction piece, but don’t worry about getting it perfect. Responding to this prompt could even serve as extra motivation by reminding you why education or learning of any kind (including your language learning) is so important to you. Then, after you write, you can go over your notes to work to resolve whatever issues you struggled with. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Beginning students commonly learn words related to daily routines, so go through your day and explain what you do. If you don’t know any native speakers, you can submit your writing on a language-exchange social network like Lang-8 and have it corrected by one of the community members. It’s already hand-picked the best videos for you and organized them by level and topic. Your email address will not be published. You could even instruct readers on how to adopt your favorite tradition. Each word in the interactive captions comes with a definition, audio, image, example sentences and more. Join my mailing list and get access to my free 7-Day Language Challenge workbook. Why would you like to visit this location? Foreign language writing prompts are just the thing to end your writing practice slump. Our world is more connected than ever before. 8 Ways to Get Daily Language Practice on Your Coffee Break, How to Learn a Language by Yourself: 5 Rockstar Tips for Success, Level Up Your Language Learning with Spaced Repetition (SRS), 37 Amazing Polyglots Who Are Happy to Show You How They Do It. Please keep in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. But slow progress. ✨ It’s giveaw, Following on from yesterday’s post about approac, How do you practise writing in your target languag, I’ve been enjoying the winter sun on my deck lat, New on the blog! can take anywhere. (Download). No, this is not me giving you permission to stop practicing your speaking skills, but we all have days when we simply can’t deal with talking to actual human beings. Beginning level students usually know basic vocabulary related to describing people, weather, food, animals, routines and related topics. What are their likes and dislikes? This is a super challenging one. Okay, you might not have a genie in a bottle, but what would you ask for if you did? All you have to do is choose any video that strikes your fancy to get started! If you want to try using more advanced-level vocabulary, you could try getting more philosophical with your response. For beginners, this can be as simple as getting up, brushing your teeth, and so on. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. Where would you like to go? Teachers can use these interactive examples to build their understanding of the different writing … With these writing prompts for all levels, you’ll never be at a loss for words. Useful if you are working or doing business in your target language. This can be something as simple as how to boil an egg or more complex like how to do a pivot chart in Excel (if you know how to do this, I’d like to know too). Restaurant got your order wrong? What’s the best lesson you’ve learned? Who inspires you? Once you’ve responded to a writing prompt, read over your work with a critical eye. The ACTFL Can-Do Statements are very helpful in this area. 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Describe your city. Not only can you name the dish and list the ingredients, you can also describe how it tastes. Writing about your plans can help you practice words for common activities and prepare you for real conversations you may have with native speakers. What errors do you notice? When do you wake up? Can you give a brief overview of the plot? This prompt invites you to use advanced vocabulary related to politics and society. Luckily, there are plenty of places to read content in your target language. If you like this prompt, you might even consider using some of The Muse’s list of common interview questions for additional writing prompts. What events or holidays happen during the season? Your email address will not be published. When do you leave? For example, why should you use public transport instead of driving? Why do you want others to learn it? Whenever you encounter one of these problems, jot it down. You know what’s up. And when writing in your target language requires less conscious effort, not only will you be able to write more quickly and easily, you’ll also be able to focus more on your content rather than the language itself. How could you improve your writing? Just a quick look will give you an idea of the variety of FluentU videos on offer: FluentU really takes the grunt work out of learning languages, leaving you with nothing but engaging, effective and efficient learning. But do social media and other technologies actually isolate us from others? It might mean having to take your writing in a different direction than you otherwise would, but trying to use specific grammar rules and vocabulary you’ve recently learned is a terrific way to practice using your new skills. What do you do for a living? Your grandmother advises you on the latest trends and slang. Do you play any sports? Write a formal letter of complaint to the company at fault. Language teachers (and learners) can approach this more effectively by having a clear understanding of the current proficiency level and providing prompts that are one level above (i+1). With FluentU, you hear languages in real-world contexts—the way that native speakers actually use them. A solid understanding of the text types can be very helpful in figuring out what types of prompts and questions are appropriate to determine the current level of proficiency as well what types of questions will help a learner progress to the next proficiency level. Who is your favourite player? This topic has the potential for many off-shoots. I’ve been considering starting something like this for Japanese, and today bought a blank book with that in mind. The ACTFL Can-Do Statements are very helpful in this area. These writing prompts can be answered with simple, general vocabulary and present tense verbs, so they’re ideal for beginning students. Plus, if you ever experience a medical emergency abroad, you might be relieved to have practiced relevant vocabulary. . If you liked this post, something tells me that you'll love FluentU, the best way to learn languages with real-world videos. How did it change your outlook on life? . After all, they’re working in a second language that might not even share the same writing system as their own. Yes, I know this sounds like the classic ‘My Summer’ essay you were forced to write at school, but it is a good way of mining new travel vocabulary. Rocket Languages Review: Pros and Cons to Consider Before Blasting Off! But when your language teachers and tutors advise you to get more writing practice, it can be hard to follow their guidance. Pingback: Foreign Language Comprehensible Input and Proficiency Goals | World Language Classroom Resources, Pingback: Foreign Language Speaking Activity with Playing Cards | World Language Classroom, Pingback: Design Communicative Activities in the Foreign Language Classroom | World Language Classroom. You might ask a friend or a tutor to read over your writing and tell you what they think. What is your name? Finally, using writing prompts can help make it so that writing in your target language feels easy and requires less conscious effort. This prompt invites you to give your conditional verb tenses a workout. Writing about medical issues and their treatments will reinforce medical vocabulary and past tense verbs. After all, fiction writers spend years perfecting their craft. If you don’t already have someone in mind, consider finding a tutor or language exchange partner through italki. What do you eat for lunch? Just like talking online can give you the practice you need to prevent backsliding in speaking, practicing writing can help your writing skills stay up to snuff even if you’re no longer actively studying your target language. Writing as a beginning student can be a bit tricky because you don’t yet have a vast vocabulary. Thanks for staying current, Grandma. FluentU is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This question may feel nearly impossible to answer in your native language, so it will be even more challenging in your target language. Find a photo, picture or artwork that inspires or interests you and try to describe it in your target language. Describe your state. Writing about current world problems can help you use vocabulary words that are relevant today but might not be terribly common. With this prompt, you can address a variety of subtopics. You might discuss the layout, culture, businesses, natural environment or how you feel about your location. Put together a short presentation on a hot topic in your industry or your latest work project. You might use future tense here, but if you prefer present tense, you can use an “I want to…” or related construction. You might describe your appearance or personality. Whether it’s cooking, painting or playing Fortnite, this will require the use of commands and a strong vocabulary related to whatever activity you write about. Please keep in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Plus, if you ever need to do a job interview in your target language, you’ll be happy you have the practice. It is also important to be aware of the functions and text types that we are asking students to use. New dress falling apart after one wear? We want our students to feel confident, which might lead to keeping them in the comfort zone of the their current proficiency level. Let us know how you get along with your Japanese studies! Consider writing the story of the funniest thing you’ve experienced. These prompts aim to help you exercise a broad array of skills. As your language skills progress, you might even try explaining how the dish is made. Plus, the vocabulary you use is likely to be as diverse and varied as your dreams. How do you think everything will change and evolve? All Rights Reserved. How do you relax in the evening? Use past tense to describe yourself as a child. Only took about one lifetime.. Why learn a second language? A lot of people really don’t know a lot about all this, but we got you covered. These prompts will help you make good use of your advancing skills. Even though learning through doing is one of the best ways to learn a language, actually doing can be complicated. Major bonus points if you can describe a Netflix movie or TV show that you also watch in your target language! Got an opinion on Brexit, the Hong Kong protests or the failings of your local government? Access a complete interactive transcript of every video under the Dialogue tab, and easily review words and phrases from the video under Vocab. Propose an argument for and against something. Skills can slip over time, so continuing to practice your writing can help prevent backsliding. If it takes the teacher longer to provide feedback (on a writing prompt for example) than it took for the student to write it, the level of the prompt was too high. Also, writing prompts can help you keep your target language in shape. Start with past tense and then transition to future, conditional and/or subjunctive tenses. How is each person related to you? #lang, As an introvert, I find language exchanges a bit a, 17 Tips for Making Language Learning a Habit, How to Learn a New Language Through Music. Whip out your past tense verbs for this one! As an intermediate writer, it’s time to up your game. Think about society, culture and major world issues. Write out a simple shopping list. Imagine you have to answer the dreaded interview question ‘Where do you see yourself in 5 years?’ in your target language. Learning a foreign language becomes fun and easy when you learn with movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talks. This is a good way to learn industry-specific terms. You can describe what happens in the movie or TV show in either past or present tense. Creative writing can be tricky even in your native language. Luckily, there are plenty of great things to write about, regardless of your proficiency level. You can describe your friend physically, describe their personality and/or explain what you like to do together. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our. After all, what do you write about? #langu, It’s been a slow kind of week. What are your favorite hobbies? Does everything happen for a reason? If you set aside a few minutes each day for your writing practice, you’re less likely to forget to do it. We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe, plenty of places to read content in your target language, music videos, commercials, news, inspiring talks, The Muse’s list of common interview questions, More Fun Than Quidditch: “Harry Potter” Language Learning, The Simple Secret to Foreign Language Fluency, 5 Killer Language Learning Strategies Guaranteed to Help You Make Time, How to Learn a New Language Fast: 5 Tips That Actually Work.

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