Abstract
The aim of this paper, Approaches to Teaching Second Language Writing, is to offer some guidelines regarding the background of the writing instruction and theory and how it has been regarded over the years. We will review the main approaches to teaching foreign language writing and present their advantages and limitations in order to guide teachers into making a grounded decision with regard to the right approach to be used in composition instruction at the advanced level. The insights derived from this research study can enable teachers to design the syllabus and base their teaching decisions on guiding principles. Moreover, it can offer shortcuts to effective teaching of the writing skill, prevent them from making mistakes which have already been made, offer a reference point for comparing their own strategies as well as help them become knowledgeable about why they are doing the things they are doing with regard to writing and thus become teaching professionals.
Key words: advantages, approaches, foreign language writing, limitations