Students’ perception about the writing instruction in English classes

Resumen

The main aim of this quantitative research was to identify the tenth grade students’ perceptions respect to the teaching of English writing skill. A  survey of 14 question were applied to fifty eight tenth graders of Jorge Icaza Educative Unit, Latacunga- Ecuador in order to identify their perception regarding to writing skill and the methodology teachers use to teach it. Results of the survey show that students are not able to write simple pieces of writing like letters, stories and personal experiences. It was identified that there is not an appropriate process of writing practice in the classroom. Additionally, teachers do not teach strategies to help students to organize their ideas. Finally, writing practice is not regular in the classroom.  Writing is given little attention by teachers and students. The research concludes that more attention should be given to the writing process that integrates steps such as prewriting, drafting, editing, proofreading, evaluating and publishing, allowing teachers to evaluate the development of writing skill in students. Finally, it is necessary to organize teaching training about different approaches to teach writing as a process.