Abstract
This study investigates the methods of teaching writing at Salahaddin University, and whether they use a process or a traditional approach in the English language Department at Salahaddin University in the north of Iraq. Firstly, the data were collected through a questionnaire. It was distributed to twelve instructors in the English Department. The questions investigate instructors reported of methods of teaching writing and whether they use a process or product approach. The questionnaire consisted of 30 items, revealing the instructors teaching methods. Secondly, in order to provide more detailed data, semi-structured interviews were carried out with nine instructors. The data revealed that the teachers in the English Department at Salahaddin University used methods of a product approach in their teaching writing. They were only focusing on planning or outlining stage in writing essays or composition. However, some of teachers had some knowledge of the two approaches and they were undecided. In other words, some of the instructors reported that they use the process approach in their teaching, while other instructors responded that they used the traditional approach. In brief, the results indicated that instructors might apply the process approach in their teaching writing to help students to be more reflective and to be communicative in class activities, and to give feedback and assessment.
