Writing is one of the most complex skills we can acquire. They say, we can never be considered educated unless we, can write. We can write when we are able to transform simple symbols to a meaningful one. As writing tasks become more difficult, we must call on an increasingly wide range of skills to not only write legibly, logically, and in an organized way, but also to invoke grammar rules and syntax. This combination of requirements makes writing the most complex and difficult use of language.
Teaching for almost twelve years, both to public and private schools, I can say that issues and concerns on writing are all the same. Filipino students are not so confident in writing. The reason is the same…anxiety.
For the last three decades, anxiety has been the subject of scrutiny and examination as factors of writing apprehension. Researchers have made it a basis of their study as to how they will make way if not stop, at least reduce anxiety of the students. It has been a long time problem specifically of us, Filipino English teachers on how will be catering the need to improve writing performance of our clientele.
Researchers have proven anxiety is apparent to Filipinos who considered English as a Second Language (ESL). What can we do? Can we make a way to help them improve their writing performance?
Personally, I feel that my students learn best when they feel safe, comfortable, and supported in their learning. It is important to me that I and my students “bond” and that my students feel they can take chances. By bonding, I believe that a student and a teacher try to know each other better and consequently trust each other. In that way, an atmosphere of safety, connection, communication, and support will eventually exists in the classroom. This atmosphere helps to lower the affective filter, or the inhibitions that language students often have, which in turn facilitates language learning. Whenever I teach, I try to strive hard to create a community of learners who help each other and learn from each other as well as from their teacher. In this manner, I know they will do their best to learn and eventually, they will improve their performance.
Writing is one of the most tedious tasks. Will a teacher’s effort to be close with them help to improve their performance? It is more appropriate to say that the aim for this is not only to lessen or eliminate writing anxiety, but also to encourage their willingness to explore their thinking and express their ideas freely without considering writing fluency but eventually will fall into it.
In the recent survey of IT-BPM & Contact Center Support Services, I am proud to say that Philippines ranks the second in terms of spoken English. Despite this, it is also alarming that the country has diagnosed to be the second to the last in writing proficiency. Sad but true! Several reasons were noted for this: Filipinos are born Filipinos. With the unique grammar and syntax compared to the second language, one may have a hard time writing. Another maybe, they are afraid of embarrassment, reflecting Filipino culture. Others among us Filipinos, often hate to speak other language. Others consider it as preserving language. The one reason why improvement in writing second language is impede. The greatest reason according to study is the poor foundation of students during their primary schooling. Teachers again are blamed for this. It is indeed a sad part on us teachers to be liable on many things about our students. The reality on the academe cannot be hidden. We teachers are doing our best to improve them (students) regardless of their ability, potentials, inability and weaknesses. Are we still to be blamed with their failures?
Many researchers had gone far in improving performances. Journal writing, blogging, and reflections, are some ways teachers usually do to enhance writing skills of students. We believe their experiences with us will help to progress their performances. We hope our effort to help them will be beneficial in improving their writing performance. Our hope, our effort will only be possible if students themselves will appreciate, and value the effort and support of a teacher.
Writing is indeed one of the most tedious task in learning. With patient and passionate teachers on our side who will encourage, value and believe as a learner…there is no way to say no to writing and maybe… the sooner time…anxiety will be less likely to occur…
By: Jane T. Gregorio, MAEd | Teacher II | BNHS – Senior HighSchool | Balanga City, Bataan
