Teaching composition in the college level foreign language class: Insights and activities from sociocultural theory

The second language composition course at the college level presents a number of challenges to the instructor A requirement for most major and minor language degrees, there are many factors that make the course difficult or burdensome to teach. It is precisely this course, however that offers learners the opportunity to develop their linguistic and written competencies and the instructor the opportunity to create multiple situations of pedagogical value. This article will draw on several relevant and useful components of sociocultural theory in the organization of a second language composition course and the creation of activities designed to improve students' written shills in the second language.