Teaching writing in the EFL environment presents a number of challenges. First regardless of how students are tested and leveled, teachers must always address gaps in levels of ability in class. Also, students who are at lower or higher levels feel either de-motivated by materials that are two difficult or under-challenged by materials that are too easy. Further many students want more individual attention to address personal challenges, an often unrealistic demand in classes with fifteen or more students. Finally the process of assessing writing to meet student needs rarely encourages improvements in student performance.

No solution is perfect, however through a combination of station teaching, inductive differentiated instruction, and group work it is possible to create a classroom environment that provides opportunities for all students to strengthen writing skills while addressing individual needs. This process is easy to recreate and has implications for improved EFL writing teaching from the middle school through university level.

During the workshop teachers will have the opportunity to explore the steps for setting up differentiated station teaching groups for the writing classroom. Included in the presentaiton will be samples of guided writing activities, information on grouping students, strategies for stations in large group classes, and information on student self correction and focused writing assessment.

Sara Davila (M. Ed) has been teaching and training teachers for over ten years. In Korea Sara has done extensive research on performance assessment and task-based learning. As a teacher she has worked with students from primary years through University. Sara has worked with the Korean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) to train over 3,000 teachers in South Korea. Her personal interests include music, art, reading, writing, traveling and making her own clothes, updated as fashion trends dictate. She is currently training with the School of International Training (SIT) in Daegu. More information and free materials for the classroom can be found on her personal website at http://www.saradavila.com