520 |
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|b The present study investigated the impact of strategy-based writing instruction on Saudi EFL intermediate students’ writing skills. Out of three classes from Al-kuds intermediate school, two male third- year intermediate classes (class b and class c) were randomly assigned into the control group (N=32) or experimental group (N=33). Class (b), serving as a control group, were taught the course-book in the traditional method, while class (c), serving as an experimental group, were taught the same course-book, supplemented with the strategy- based writing instruction which included six types of strategies: cognitive, meta-cognitive, compensation, social, affective and multiple strategies. Both groups were pre-post tested using a writing test prepared by the researcher. Two hypotheses were formulated and tested. These results (confirmed) the importance of implementing the strategy-based writing instruction in EFL classrooms as it equips the learners with the writing strategies they need to perform their writing tasks successfully. In addition, it provides a scaffolding learning environment which encourages the learners to interact with their teacher and peers to share ideas, give and get constructive feedback. It also enhances the learners’ self-confidence as the feel they are armed with something to start with, instead of facing a blank sheet at the beginning of the writing process. Moreover, the strategy-based writing instruction enables the learners to conceive writing as a recursive process which entails flexible and purposeful movement through the three stages of writing (the pre-writing stage, the writing stage and the post-writing stage).
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