The Seventh Symposium on Second Language Writing

Foreign Language Writing Instruction: Principles and Practices

June 5-7, 2008
Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA

The Symposium on Second Language Writing is an international conference that brings together teachers and researchers who work with second- and foreign-language writers to discuss important issues in the field of second language writing. The Symposium on Second Language Writing began in 1998 at Purdue University as a way to facilitate the advancement of knowledge in the field of L2 writing and to build a sense of community among those who are involved in L2 writing research and instruction.

Symposium: Friday & Saturday, June 6-7, 2008
Much of the work on L2 writing is done in the second language (SL) context, a context in which the L2 is the dominant language. This work has overshadowed work on L2 writing done in the foreign language (FL) context, a context in which the L2 is not the dominant language. The purpose of this symposium is to remedy this situation by showcasing work done in FL (including EFL) writing. There will be keynote speakers who will address current issues in FL writing and invited speakers who will address FL writing instruction in their institutional settings, describing their institutional contexts, the writing instruction that takes place in those contexts, and the principles that underlie that instruction. We feel that this program will be of interest to both FL and SL writing professionals.

Graduate Student Conference: Thursday, June 5, 2008
The Graduate Student Conference on Second Language Writing is a special event held in conjunction with the Symposium. It provides opportunities for graduate students to present their research and scholarship on second language writing and receive feedback from peers and from established scholars in the field in a supportive atmosphere. Proposals for the Graduate Student Conference may address the Symposium theme, but are not required to do so. Proposals on any aspect of L2 writing or writing instruction are welcome. Proposals will be accepted until May 1. Please submit your proposal by clicking here.

Additional Information
For more information about the Symposium on Second Language Writing—including past symposia and related publications—please visit The Symposium on Second Language Writing homepage.

Questions?
Contact tony@purdue.edu.

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