Genre: what teachers think

Over the last decade much of the writing on the concept of genre has been intended for pedagogical contexts. But to what extent, and how successfully, are genre-based approaches used in classrooms? This article reports on a multicultural workshop designed to allow participants to share their expertise in and concerns about the field of genre. The experiences and concerns of the participants indicate that while genre-based teaching approaches are largely viewed positively, there are many concerns to be addressed—through research, practice, and dialogue. Genre, in short, continues to be a controversial topic, though never a dull one.