Most Students Cannot Write: Of course we knew that

Abstract

The article presents survey data from a small investigation carried out in 2012 and 2013 collected through a questionnaire from 135 university students in B2 level (CEFR) English language courses. The aim was to explore the students' behaviour on the Internet with regard to their written language production, namely frequency and amount of written text produced online. The analysis showed a preference for a particular online service and limited written language output. The results are discussed in the light of the need to support university students in their attempts to produce longer pieces of narratives, argumentative and discursive types of texts. Suggestions are made for modifying pedagogical practices so as to engage students in activities that promote extensive writing.