Towards eclecticism: A hybrid product-process approach to the teaching of EFL writing

Abstract

This article argues for the adoption of a hybrid product-process approach to EFL writing instruction. It lays bare the weaknesses of the well-established writing approaches: the controlled approach, the current traditional rhetoric, the process approach and the genre approach. Then, it makes it clear how language teaching methods in general have lost their credibility and fallen out of favor over the last few years. Reasons of this discreditation are presented. This condition paved the way for the emergence of eclecticism, which started taking shape as a favorable classroom practice in the post method era. Within this framework, this paper suggests an eclectic approach to the teaching of writing. This approach pulls together and merges the strengths of both product and process approaches. The nine stages of this model are explained in depth. The article also presents practical tips and examples that would aid teachers in the adoption of this eclectic mix in their classrooms.