Writing Difficulties and New Solutions: Blended Learning as an Approach to Improve Writing Abilities
Dana Adas, Ayda Bakir

Abstract
It has been said that we cannot really teach language, we can only create conditions in which it will develop spontaneously in mind in its own way (Gomaa, 2010).Writing is an intricate and complex task; it is the most difficult of all the language abilities to acquire. Teaching English writing to Arab learners has many challenges. Therefore, they are more prone to committing errors (Mourtaga, 2004). Traditional methodologies do not help a lot. Unless the teacher is able to create an interest in the minds of the learners, he can’t expect the desired results. A good teacher teaches, a better teacher explains, and the best teacher inspires. If a teacher keeps on teaching following the traditional method, the classroom activities become passive and monotonous. Therefore, the teacher should try new methods other than the traditional methods of teaching and make the students better achievers. This research paper describes the teaching and learning context, and how the writing activities were integrated as part of the blended learning outcome. It discusses the extent to which students were able to achieve from the intended outcomes and the processes involved in achieving those outcomes. This paper reports findings from research into the benefits of integrating blended learning into traditional methods in developing writing abilities for second and third year undergraduates at a conventional university in Palestine.

Full Text: PDF