What L2 Creative Writing Teachers Need to Know

                                        Teaching Creative Writing to L2 Students: Methods, Genres and Outcomes

 

Writing in a second language can be challenging and complicated. But, teaching students how to write in their second language can at times be even more challenging and frustrating. Part of the challenge is due to the fact that some existing teaching methods are old-fashioned and tedious to both teachers and learners. Switching to more personal and meaningful approaches could help solve some of these issues. One such approach is using creative writing. “One thing is certain, though: If language teaching is to contribute to the development of personal creativity in learners, then a pedagogy that overemphasizes conformity to target language norms is unlikely to achieve it.” (Jones & Richards, 2015. p. 85). Introducing the notion of creativity in second language writing classrooms will definitely improve the writing experience for the students by making them the center of learning. It should also help teachers achieve the educational outcomes of their writing classrooms. However, before applying creative writing in L2 classroom, teachers must know how to teach creative writing, what the different genres of creative writing are, and how L2 students will benefit from creative writing. This paper will briefly discuss these three important elements in an attempt to give L2 creative writing teachers a modest guide to refer to before and while teaching.