Rising above the challenges
The art of writing for me began emerging at a young age when I was introduced to journal writing. This medium of writing provided an avenue where I was able to write on a daily basis. I was mainly engaged in free writing; where I was able to express my thoughts, feelings and often times research on topics of interest. My passion for writing soon deteriorated and became less and less apparent in my life and to this day I am yet to recover from such a tragedy. This, brings me to this juncture where I was given the opportunity to learn about other challenges faced by writers and also accept the ones I face today that is preventing me in becoming a fluent writer.
I learned of a few of the reasons hindering the teaching of writing within our classrooms. Among them are the language situation in Grenada. This is one of the major challenges since we are speakers of a native dialect yet our formal mode of speaking and writing is with the use of standard English. Another reason is students interest and exposure to materials. It is said that the best writers are the one who reads often from a wide variety of genre, this inturn would be demonstrated in the students writing as they would have a better edge on the play of words. Lastly, the know-how on the part of the teacher. Not knowing how to write can affect the way in which you as the teacher engage your students in writing.
How to combat these challenges were key to me since the implementation of such will be practiced with immediate effect. For starters, learning and adapting the writing process while engaging in daily writing is imperative. Another is becoming an active reader as to get more acquainted with different writing styles and also to increase my vocabulary. Finally, acceptance of the fact that immediate change is necessary and despite the challenges I may face, it should not be used as a short coming in producing fluent writers within my classroom and even becoming a fluent writer myself.
The challenges of writing are so diverse, and I completely agree with your views on them. Although we are taught to write in the standard language, we first speak and generate ideas in out native language. This barrier in itself is only one of many hurdles to get over. Added to that, even as we improve in the standard language, if there is no exposure to the different ideas, experiences and genres in and of writing, we are left with little to express. The solution of daily writing and regular reading that you have proposed is a very good one. That routine will definitely create an avenue for beginning writers to develop and practice the skills in and of writing, and ultimately continue to improve in their writing.
ReplyDeleteAs I engage in continuous research on the challenges faced by writers and ways to combat such, i stumbled upon a very interesting article. I was able to read and leave with some great pointers of the ideas posted. Mainly the headings of lack of ideas, lack of confidence and use/expression of words. (Link below)
Deletehttps://www.writersincharge.com/challenges-writers-face/