This paper will discuss three approaches: Product, process and genre used in EFL writing classes and grammar instruction driven by each approach. Then it will present a hybrid approach termed as process and genre approach which combines the strengths of the process and of genre approach. | JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, Hue University, Vol. 70, No 1 (2012) pp. 247-254 APPROACHES AND GRAMMAR INSTRUCTION IN EFL WRITING CLASSES Truong Thi Nhu Thuy College of Foreign Languages, Hue University Abstract. This paper will discuss three approaches: product, process and genre used in EFL writing classes and grammar instruction driven by each approach. Then it will present a hybrid approach termed as process and genre approach which combines the strengths of the process and of genre approach. This hybrid approach aims to raise the students’ awareness of the relationship between the purpose and the writing standards when they employ a recursive process in writing. The paper will also address the role of grammar instruction and how to deal with grammar issues in Vietnamese EFL writing classes, which are often characterized as being oversized, and suffering a lack of practice time and of exposure to language use. Keywords: ESL (English as a second language), EFL (English as a foreign language), product approach, genre approach, focus on form, focus on forms, focus on meaning, grammar instruction. 1. Introduction Writing in a foreign language is often seen to be such a difficult skill that many learners consider it unachievable. In the university degree curriculum, Vietnamese English-majored students have five semesters to learn writing with two credits in each semester. Such limited time practically causes difficulties for both teachers and students in achieving the goals defined in the Unit Description. During two hours per week in class intended for learning both theory and practice, teachers often “struggle” to organize the class and balance learning and practice so that students can benefit more from the teacher’s instruction. This paper will present the current approaches used in teaching ESL and EFL writing classes, discuss how important the role of grammar is advocated in each approach and relate these concepts with the situation of EFL writing classes at Hue .
