An interesting article published by the Teacher Writing Center is available at this URL: http://www.teacherwritingcenter.org/Speaking_of_Writing_V7.pdf . The authors offer a meta analysis of existing research combined with years of classroom experience. It is a quick read and provides excellent background about English language development.
Speaking of Writing:
The Significance of Oral Language
in English Learners’ Literacy Development
By Connie Williams, Roberta Stathis, and Patrice Gotsch
Here is an excerpt from the text: “How are these English learners going to learn to write well? In this case, more writing is not the solution. As indicated earlier, research suggests that more talking–oral language development–is the prerequisite to developing strong writing skills.”
Dr. Connie Williams is profiled on my expert page (www.pandopublicrelations.com/experts.html). Please contact me if I can help arrange for interviews with these authors. You may also reach them directly through the Teacher Writing Center.