This study surveyed fifth grade elementary school students to analyze the effects of process-based writing practice in role-play script co-construction for improving their English writing ability. It also analyzed their attitudes towards English writi...
This study surveyed fifth grade elementary school students to analyze the effects of process-based writing practice in role-play script co-construction for improving their English writing ability. It also analyzed their attitudes towards English writing activities. Process-based writing practice in role-play script co-construction is a creative writing process oriented to motivate students to write creatively and confidently in English within the cooperative atmosphere of teamwork.
The experiment was conducted five times on six different classes in their regular English writing class. Five writing tests(post), two questionnaires(pre and post), one questionnaire(post) for lesson evaluation, in-depth interviewing and teacher's journal were administered in order to analyze the effects of experimental treatment on the learners' writing ability, interest, self-confidence and cooperative spirit.
The analysis was carried out according to the test results of both the entire group and each writing proficiency level group. In addition, a qualitative analysis was carried out to investigate changes in proficiency lower level students.
The following results were obtained regarding the cognitive domains.
First, it was found that process-based writing practice in role-play script co-construction aided the improvement of overall English writing ability. Although there was a slight change in the scores depending on the complexity of the phrase and diversity of the vocabulary, the overall writing score of the students increased after the experiment.
Second, it was found that improvements in the sub-elements of writing ability after the experiment were different depending on students' writing proficiency. Task relevance and mechanics of high proficiency level students were changed significantly. Medium proficiency level students showed the improvement in the all sub-elements of writing ability, whereas low proficiency level students got better grades in task relevance and vocabulary.
Third, after the qualitative analysis of low proficiency level students' writing test, an apparent increase in the amount of writing was observed and some students could use story structure. Students were getting to use vocabulary accurately and diversely. On the other hand, errors were found constantly and frequently, which proved that accuracy of writing was difficult to acquire for low proficiency level. Mechanics scores slightly improved, but students had difficulty in acquiring knowledge in the usage of periods and the special rules.
The following results were obtained regarding the affective domains.
First, the questionnaire result showed that there was a significant difference between pre- and post testing in three affective domains: interest, self-confidence and cooperative spirit because the mean test score of all the students subjected to the experiment greatly improved.
Second, according to the questionnaire for lesson evaluation, students responded that process-based writing was more useful, interesting and cooperative than product-based writing, although the former was more difficult than the latter.
Third, in-depth interviewing and teacher's journal indicated that process-based writing practice in role-play script co-construction was a good method for motivating students as they like to role-play in front of their peers. It was also helpful for all levels of students because both high proficiency level students and low proficiency level students enjoy teaching and learning English. Students were active participants and they could learn how to apply strategies of writing.
The conclusion was that process-based writing practice in role-play script co-construction is effective in improving the English writing ability of elementary school students as well as improving their attitude towards English writing activity.