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Research on Writer’s Block and Writing Apprehension of Chinese Non-english Major Graduates in English Writing

Author: YangJingJing
Tutor: QinXiaoQing
School: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Course: Foreign Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Keywords: non-English major graduate writer’s block writing apprehension causal factors
CLC: H319
Type: Master's thesis
Year: 2011
Downloads: 75
Quote: 0
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Abstract

In graduate English optional course system,“English writing”has been a practical and significant course for non-English major graduates who always encounter various writer’s blocks and writing apprehensions. This research mainly discusses the writer’s blocks and writing apprehensions Chinese non-English major graduates encounter in English writing and their causal factors.The research instruments are questionnaire and interview. 314 non-English major graduates in Huazhong University of Science and Technology participated in filling out the questionnaires, while 7 of them were interviewed for deeper causal factors. The main findings of the research are as follows:1) Writer’s block includes complex English writing assignments, English language system block, English writing content block, attitude towards English writing, faith block in English writing and English writing structure block. English writing apprehension involves conception apprehension, classroom apprehension, avoidance and confidence apprehension. The causal factors are individual factors, teacher factors, English writing purposes, other English skills and Chinese writing levels.In terms of writer’s block, students encounter significant blocks in English language system, English writing content and attitude towards English writing, while other three blocks are relatively smaller. In addition, if the writing materials are complicated, students can hardly perform well and the beginning of writing assignments is difficult to them. As to writing apprehension, avoidance and confidence apprehension are relatively high, while conception apprehension and classroom apprehension are not so obvious. Besides, students’self-concept of English writing is not positive, i.e. they do not have much faith in their English writing level.2 ) According to correlation and regression analysis, complex English writing assignments is caused by individual factors; English language system block is caused by the contradiction between high hopes for writing and the practical writing level; English writing content block changes with individual factors, Chinese writing level and other English skills; attitude towards English writing is caused by other English skills; faith block in English writing changes with individual factors, Chinese writing level and other English skills, while English writing structure block is caused by individual factors.In terms of writing apprehension, conception apprehension is caused by other English skills, individual factors and teacher factors; classroom apprehension is due to other English skills, English writing purposes, Chinese writing level and teacher factors; avoidance and confidence apprehension are both caused by individual factors and English writing purposes. Non-English major graduates have negative self-concept in English writing due to complex English writing assignments, faith block in English writing, avoidance and confidence apprehension.It involves mutual efforts to lessen writer’s blocks and writing apprehension of non-English major graduates. First, students should cultivate the interest in English writing and strengthen English input and can not excuse themselves due to heavy scientific work or lack of English evaluation. Besides, the graduate English course system can be modified if possible, for instance, some institutes can set English courses for students exempted from graduate entrance exam. English teachers play crucial roles in improving students’writing and they can introduce the logic and thinking patterns of English articles or the characteristics of academic writing. In addition, teachers should provide positive and timely feedback on students’homework or any puzzles in English learning to develop their positive English writing self-concept.

Research on Writer’s Block and Writing Apprehension of Chinese Non-english Major Graduates in English Writing

Abstract

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