An interactive approach to college English writing: Using School of Rock and Mean Girls

Jang, Hye Jin

Article

Journal of English Teaching through Movies and Media 2006;7(1):71-94.
Published online June 30, 2006.

An interactive approach to college English writing: Using School of Rock and Mean Girls

Hye Jin Jang

영화를 이용한 작문수업 활성화 방안

장혜진

Abstract

Research on EFL writing skills has become more significant with the development of communication technologies through the Internet. However, English writing has been somewhat overlooked in liberal arts course. The Interactive writing, e.g. email and Internet text chatting. strongly connects writers with readers. Incorrectness in grammar is one of the most critical parts in it for prompt communication. Therefore, Interactive writing has a remarkable advantage to make writers relaxed in writing. This thesis aims to suggest the method for encouraging students to write with an interactive approach. This study has two main research questions. First, can learners with lower grammar competence perform interactive writing meaningfully? Secondly, is it harmful for writing performance not to teach grammar in the beginning of the writing class. Two groups (the grammar-free group, and grammar-focused group) are consisted of subjects with various language levels - upper, mid and, lower grammar competence. Two movies, School of Rock and Mean Girls were used as the material for this study to make subjects write effectively. The findings of this study show (1) students can perform writing effectively in spite of the lack of grammar competence, and (2) it doesn't harm writing performance to teach grammar after students become familiar enough to write.

Key Words: interactive writing;writing;strategy;movie