Indonesian EFL Teachers’ Familiarity with and Opinion on the Internet-Based Teaching of Writing

Abstract

<p>The use of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) especially the Internet has been a common practice in education. However, research studies show that the Internet has not been frequently used in the teaching of English as a foreign language (EFL) writing, especially in the Indonesian context. This study aimed to find out whether or not Indonesian EFL teachers are familiar with the Internet-based techniques for the teaching of writing. In addition, it investigated their opinions on the Internet-based techniques of teaching of writing. This study involved 17 EFL teachers from various parts of the country who were asked about their experiences and opinions dealing with the Internet-based teaching of writing. The results of the study showed that almost half of the teachers admitted that they have used Internet facilities for the teaching of writing. The other EFL teachers either have indirect involvement with the teaching of writing using Internet application or have never used Internet applications at all. However, these teachers had intention to teach writing by applying Internet-based techniques for their future practices. The study also showed that Indonesian EFL teachers valued the Internet-based teaching of writing as this practice benefits the students in terms of their writing quality and quantity, autonomy, flexibility, as well as confidence. This implies that with the development of advanced ICT, there is a hope that students’ learning of writing could be improved well.</p>