I ask my tutor student to write a composition every week as a task. By this every-week task, she has learned a lot from it.
First, she can apply English she has learned for a long time to reality, not just limited to the boring textbook. My tutor student lacks a little motivation in learning. One time she asked me, “why should I learn so many subjects?” Therefore, by writing compositions, she finds motivation in learning English. The topic she chooses for writing is “My favorite Singer.” She told me when she does not know some information about his favorite singer, she gets on the Internet to search for further information. She will look up the dictionary if she does not know how to express in English. All these are motivated on her own. From this task, learning English becomes more interesting.
Second, the completion of the task builds her confidence in learning English. It is she that finishes the task on her own, and she is proud of herself. When she turns in her composition, I give her some compliment and I see smile on her face.
Last but not the least, she can make mistakes work for her. Because it is her own writing, she has deep impression on it. Although many mistakes in her first writing may frustrate her, I encourage her that she should keep going and make progress. Therefore, when she corrects and revises next time, she will notice not to make the same mistakes again.
