Exploring the Potential of Web 2.0 Technologies for Teaching Second/Foreign Language Writing in Higher Education

Abstract

The emergence and rapid evolution of Web 2.0 technologies have resulted in their ever-growing use in education. Their communicative, participatory and interactive features have been recognised as pedagogically useful for teaching second/foreign languages, writing in particular. This literaturebased study therefore explores plentiful and continually proliferating research on the potential of Web 2.0 technologies for teaching second/foreign language writing in higher education. To examine the potential of Web 2.0 technologies for teaching second/foreign language writing and answer the research question, 73 research articles were reviewed. Their data were analysed in terms of the effect technology made on students’ writing abilities, namely their linguistic and pragmatic competences. The findings generally confirm the effectiveness of Web 2.0 technologies to improve the quality of students’ writing and enhance their linguistic and pragmatic competences. Drawing on Web 2.0 affordances, teachers are able to create an authentic and interactive learning environment for students to practice and improve their writing skills.