Date of Award

2010

Thesis Type

Masters

Document Type

Dissertation

Divisions

Faculty of Languages and Linguistics

Department

Department of English Language

Institution

Universiti Malaya

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of collaborative learning on individual writing performance of ESL (English as Second Language) learners. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of collaborative learning on individual writing performance among pre university students taking the Malaysian University English Test (MUET). The subjects in this study are a group of ten Lower Six students from the Science stream. The study is based on Vygtosky’s theory of cognitive development and Piaget’s social cognitive theory. The two research questions that have been the basis for this study are “To what extent does collaborative learning help ESL students to improve their writing skills?” and “How do students of differing proficiency perceive the effect of collaborative learning on their writing performance?”. The study adopts a research design that uses both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The methods used for data collection are pre and post test essay scores which were assessed by two raters, audio recordings of collaborative learning group discussions, observation of subjects, questionnaires and interviews. The findings of this study reveal that the majority of the students performed better in writing after collaborative learning discussions. The subjects in both the groups, namely the high proficiency and the average proficiency group, found collaborative learning very helpful as they were able to gather more content during collaborative learning iv discussions for their essays. Listening and speaking during discussions also helped to improve their language proficiency. The improvement in scores for their writing tasks clearly shows that collaborative learning has benefitted 80% of the sample. The findings of the study should enable MUET teachers, instructors and language designers as well as planners move towards a new dimension in the MUET writing class i.e. employ collaborative learning to help students to perform better in their writing tasks. The study suggests that the collaborative learning discussions is not only beneficial in improving writing but also helps students to improve their listening and speaking skills.

Initial

khm

Additional Information

Dissertation (M.A.) – Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya, 2010.

Download

Share

COinS