I am getting messages from schools whose SELI Young Writers process-writing clubs were suspended when COVID-19 hit two years ago, telling me, "We really need this club back!"
When I ask why, they say "It helps the students improve greatly in their essay writing, and that plays a great role in their national exams." Hooray!
Of course, I am glad when school heads recognize the effect of what goes on in SELI Young Writers clubs. What needs to happen now is for school heads and English Language teachers to realize that the improvement they are seeing did not come about specifically because of the SELI Young Writers club, but because the club's writing instruction is centered around process writing. And it's all self-motivated writing. We do no testing at all.
I'm also pleased to hear school heads say that the club strengthens their teachers' written and oral communication skills. All good!
Now all we need is funding to make it happen! Every $10 counts!
