Effects of Situation-Based Learning on Sentence Writing Ability of EFL Students in Thailand

Abstract

Situation-based learning is a meaningful learning approach that provides a connection between the classroom and practice in the real world. This study represents an attempt to investigate the effects of situation-based learning on students' sentence writing ability of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and explore students' opinions toward situation-based learning. The samples were 52 students majoring in English Education. The research instruments consisted of a learning achievement test for pre-testing and post-testing, lesson plans, situation-based tasks, a questionnaire, and a semi-structured interview form. The data were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative method applied descriptive statistics including Mean, Min, Max, and Standard Deviation (S.D.), and the qualitative method applied content analysis. The results of this study showed that situation-based learning improved students' English sentence writing ability in terms of simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences, and compound-complex sentences. The results also indicated that situation-based learning enhanced students' sentence writing in terms of sentence completion, complete thought, word use, grammar, and punctuation. Students' opinions toward situation-based learning were explored in three areas: classroom climate, classroom activities, and sentence writing improvement. The results showed that the most advantageous area was sentence writing improvement, while the least adventurous area was classroom climate. This study suggests that situation-based learning should be applied at other educational levels to help students transfer knowledge from the classroom into practice in real life. It is recommended to investigate situation-based learning in terms of problem-solving strategies that students apply to solve problems in real life situations.