Peer Feedback is a Great Tool in Writing Classes
Writing as the Most Difficult Language Skill
 Writing is the most difficult of the four macro skills to acquire, and has
always been a challenge to many students. It demands good vocabulary, and
understanding of syntax and grammar to come up with a sound composition. Listening, speaking and reading are quite tolerable when it comes to mistakes as
they emphasize conveying meaning to communication. Writing requires logical
skills to decide which words are in correct order in order for them to make
sense. To gain fluency and mastery, these skills require constant practice and
patience.
For students whose first language is not English, there are a number of
structures to memorize as they are different from their mother tongue. This can
cause difficulty in dealing with totally different grammar, vocabulary, syntax
and meaning formation. With this, most face problems with having to directly
translate a word from their first language to the target language in writing
compositions.
Effective But Still Unpopular
 Despite the proven effectiveness of feedback from peers, many writing classes
in ESL classrooms are not quite convinced of its usefulness. Educational
researchers claimed that with proper training and classroom procedures, peer
feedback can do both students and their teachers a great service. There is then
a need to give more leeway for students to see and assess their classmates'
papers.
Studies show that despite the doubts from both educators and students,
feedback from class members when given under right conditions, creates an
excellent opportunity for interaction and learning. When students are trained to
look at peer feedback as constructive criticism, class members will not only
feel at ease with each other but it gives opportunities for faster learners to
help and for beginners to develop. Peers are known to give useful feedback when
teachers are less authoritative, supportive and friendly.
Peers as Helpful Factors
How can peers provide help? Compared to the traditional teacher’s response
method, class members provide alternatives which seem less threatening to
students. Insight from peers is considered useful as the student would feel it
comes from those who understand exactly what they mean to put on to paper. This
will in turn make the students become even more critical of their own writing,
as they strive to see the flaws they have previously missed and were
successfully pointed out by a peer. Another good thing about this is the fact
that many consider comments from fellow students as more sympathetic and less
judgmental.
When given the opportunity to interact with each other, students do not only
provide immediate help but become an agent of communication as they may analyze,
discuss, explain, justify and even clarify information with each other. This
does not only develop writing skills, but integrates speaking and listening
practice.
Peer feedback also takes place informally and quickly. When a student has
questions, help from peers is more readily at hand than assistance from a
teacher. It also gives the confused student the chance to argue and justify the
choice of words or explain ideas that were intended to be conveyed in what was
written. With this, the student gets to truly feel like they own the original
ideas contained in their writing.
Wrapping Points
Peer feedback in writing classes is not only beneficial to students needing
assistance but helps teachers by relying on students to help one another. Peers
who review the work are not only exposed to different writing styles, but also
learn from the choice of words utilized by a classmate. Challenges in diction as
well as language variations pose great challenges to a student who is learning
to write in a new language. This will help students become self-reliant,
critical and effective writers who can edit and revise compositions in the
absence of a teacher.
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Peer Feedback is a Great Tool in Writing Classes
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