The Genre-based Writing Instruction in EFL

Abstract

This paper points out the potential usefulness of genre-based writing instruction in EFL. Genre has been proved to serve as an influential and useful writing tool for both learning and teaching. For learners, especially at the low level of proficiency or in EFL, genre can be a framework, or scaffolding for the production of meaningful passages within a specific context. It is also a useful tool for teachers, who are expected to give a practical and constructive guideline to students. For the effective application of genre-based instruction to writing class, this paper suggests four stages of writing lesson process and shows some guideline of genre-focused writing instruction. Through the examples of genrebased writing instruction, it shows how the genre-based writing instruction operates and encourages active teacher-student negotiation and cooperation. It also suggests some ways to overcome the limitation of the genre-based writing instruction by making genre an open frame enough to lead to creative thinking in the process of writing.