Presentation Schedule
Learning to Write, Writing to Learn: Dialogic Pedagogy in an English as a Second Language Classroom (104544)
Session Chair: Nur Najla Zainal Anuar
Tuesday, 12 May 2026 14:35
Session: Session 3
Room: Room G402 (4F)
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
This study explores the learning experiences of Emirati undergraduate students enrolled in an academic writing course at a university in the United Arab Emirates. While students demonstrate strong motivation, many face persistent challenges when expressing complex ideas in written English. Their struggles are not only linguistic. They reflect broader cultural expectations surrounding authority, the use of voice and the ways in which knowledge is communicated in academic settings. The research draws on classroom observations, reflective journals and instructor field notes collected over two academic semesters.
The findings indicate that traditional approaches to writing instruction, particularly those that emphasise product over process, do not meet the need of students who are still developing both their confidence and rhetorical awareness in a foreign language. Many students rely heavily on memorised structures or attempt direct translation from Arabic, which often leads to weak argumentation and limited engagement with evidence. A shift toward a process-oriented pedagogy centred on dialogue, scaffolded feedback and guided practice generated noticeable improvements. Students became more willing to take intellectual risks, to revise their ideas and to consider the purpose and audience of their writing. This study argues that academic writing should be understood as a social and developmental process rather than a purely technical skill. Culturally responsive teaching practices are essential for supporting learners to negotiate between local linguistic traditions and global academic standards, offering practical implications for writing pedagogy where English is learned as a second or foreign language.
Authors:
Nur Najla Zainal Anuar, Rabdan Academy, United Arab Emirates
About the Presenter(s)
Dr Nur Najla Zainal Anuar is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at Rabdan Academy in United Arab Emirates
See this presentation on the full schedule – Tuesday Schedule
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