I like tacos, too: A letter exchange between two middle school ELD classes to increase descriptive language in writing

Research question. Will participating in a letter exchange with other EL students impact my students' descriptive writing?;Research activities. Context: This academic paper reports the results of an intervention investigating the effects of a letter exchange between two middle school ELD classes composed primarily of Mexican immigrants. Students were assigned two pen pals to whom they wrote letters following a provided frame. Throughout the writing process, students were encouraged to exercise their descriptive writing skills and respond to questions posed by their pen pals. Methods and Data: The study was executed during a ten week period. Instructional strategies included vocabulary and descriptive writing mini-lessons, writing frames, resource skills, writing revision, and letter reading. Word count and word quality were measured and compared at the beginning and conclusion of the intervention. Students also completed attitudinal surveys, expressing their goals and confidence in learning English and writing letters. Results: Given the social nature and culturally responsive components of the letter exchange, students gained interest in communicating with peers and improved in their descriptive writing by choosing more advanced vocabulary and developing longer compositions.;Grade level. Middle; seventh; eighth.;Data collection methods. Observation-field notes; survey-attitude; writing samples Curriculum. English language development; writing;Instructional Approaches. Student engagement; vocabulary development; writing-audience; writing-description; writing-letter writing...