Training in the Learning Strategies of Writing: Its Effects on Students' Writing Skills
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Date
2013-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This research was mainly an experimental study intended to examll1e if: (a) there is a
statisticall y significant difference between students who received training on the learning
strategies of writing and those who did not receive training on the learning strategies of
writing with regard to their writing skills, (b) training in the learning strategies of writing
significantly improves students' use of the strategies, (c) there is a statisticall y significant
difference between students who received training on the learn ing strategies of writing and
those who did not receive training on the learning strategies of writing with regard to
improv ing their belief about tak ing on more responsib ility for their own learning of writing,
and (d) students have positive or negative attitudes towards practicing writing tasks through
receiving training on the learning strategies of writing.
To this end, the selected Freshman Program students of Hawassa University were randomly
assigned to the experimental (41 students) and the control (41 students) groups. Students in
the experimental group were taught lessons of the' Basic Writing Skills' course with training
in the learning strategies of writing, whereas those in the control group were taught the
lessons without training in the learning strategies of writing.
Data were collected through tests, questi onnaires and interviews. Mixed-methods approach
was employed for the study, which is mainly quantitative, but also used qualitative techniques
for triangulation purposes. Independent-Samples T Test whi ch was computed for the pre-test
revealed that students who were ass igned to the experimental and the control groups had
similar writing performance with regard to including relevant contents, organizing contents
appropriately, using accurate grammar, appropriate vocabulary and correct mechanics, and
overall writing performance (t-values :::; 1.56, p-values ;::: .1 22); however, the IndependenlSamples
T Test computed for the post-test demonstrated that the experimental group
significantly outperformed the control group in their writing performance on each of the
writing aspects and the overall writing performance (t-values ;::: 2.50, p-values ::::,0 14).
Moreover, the Paired-Samples T Test result demonstrated that students in the experimental
group significantly improved their performance on each of the writing aspects and the overall
writing performance than those in the control group (t-values ;:::-11.48, p-values=.OOO).
J
The Paired-Samples T Test result indicated that training in the learning strategies of writing
signifi cantly improved students' use of the strategies (t-values ~-7. 57, p-values ~ .OOO).
Independent-Samples T Test which was computed before the experiment demonstrated that
the experimental and the control groups had similar belief about taki ng on more responsibility
for their own learning of writing (t-value =.453, p-value = .652); however, the IndependentSamples
T Test whi ch was conducted after the experiment showed that students in the
experimental group significantly outperformed students in the control group to improve their
belief about taking on more responsibility for their own learning of writing (t-value = -4.26,
p-value = .000). Statistical analysis conducted showed that students in the experimental group
had a pos itive attitude towards practicing the writing tasks through rece iving training on the
learn ing strategies of writing. Results of the interviews confgrmed with results of the
questionnaires. Based on the findings, recommendations have been made that writing
tasks/activities should be introduced in the context of training in the learning strategies of
writin g; as a result, students could improve their writing skills by using the strategies and
taking on more responsibility for their own learning of writing. Moreover, studies on other
issues of the training have been recommended.
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Keywords
Its Effects on Students' Writing Skills