Describes Cantonese-speaking English as a Foreign Language (EFL) undergraduates writing on a Local Area Network (LAN) and in traditional writing classes at a Hong Kong university. Determines which context--LANs or traditional writing classes--produced better writing and more improvement in writing. Suggests that LAN classes are no more…

Compares English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) students in first-year English classes writing in two contexts: in a networked computer class and in a traditional lecture-style class. Shows that the networked setting promoted better writing and more peer and teacher feedback, and that the traditional setting promoted more improvement in writing. (RS)