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This is a primary study investigating the pedagogical approach of employing cross-cultural contrastive rhetoric (CCCR) comparisons in graduate-level writing courses. Two 501-level (advanced) classes were recruited to participate in this study: one class received CCCR instruction and participated in CCCR discussions, and the other class did not receive CCCR instruction and discussions. The study entailed both quantitative and qualitative investigations involving the grading of the results, the counting of use of dependent clauses and cohesive devices in students’ writing samples; pre- and post-study surveys, questionnaires and interviews. The findings show that students who received CCCR instructions and participated in CCCR discussions demonstrated more active use of connectives and showed increased metacognition about the similarities and differences between English academic writing academic writing in their L1s.

Levy (1997) defined computer-assisted language learning (CALL) as “the search for and study of applications of the computer in language teaching and learning” (p.1). With the advancement of technology, the term “computer” in CALL is expanded to include more concepts such as software depicting the virtual classroom, technology tools that could be used in a blended language course, assessment and training tools, interactive and collaborative online forums, and various types of copula curating authentic language in different contexts. The ongoing development of information technology prompts the continuous search for the applications of the computer in foreign and second language teaching and learning.