Abstract

The current study investigated the pedagogical implication of Clause Expansion (CE) mastery to improve academic English writing skills. Fifteen students participated in the study. A two-cycle action research design was used to justify how the mastery of clause expansion contributed to the development of academic writing skills. Prior to intervention, they were assigned to write academic texts based on IELTS writing test. Then, they were given a three-week task-based e-learning instruction on CE., based on Systemic Functional Linguistic Framework of Clause Expansion.In the process of Explicit Instruction (EI) of CE, they were exposed in academic writing exercises to apply their knowledge on CE in various grammatical contexts in which it is required as Input Flood (IF). Another test was administered to see how it progressed from the pre-test. Then, another three-week task-based e-learning module, was given for their second online learning activities. A post-test was administered to see how it contributed to their overall writing skills. It turned out that CE mastery under e-learning special instruction did significantly improve their writing skills. They become more confident in writing academic texts. It is highly recommended that CE be taught as an integral part of a writing course.

Highlights

  • Of the four language skills in English as a foreign language (EFL) [1], writing used to be least paid attention to as the primary goal of EFL teaching was to develop reading comprehension skills

  • Why do you think this is happening? What can the government do to help reduce the amount of rubbish produced? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience Write at least 250 words The participants were supposed to do the above task within a period of time as specified in the task (40 minutes)

  • Rubbish can only be handled by good waste management; something that has been in Australia Best of all, children should not be given more free time unless their rules of conducts have been carefully observed; regrets come much later Nowadays, youth has gone beyond the old tradition; instead of visiting their parents on Christmas, they prefer to call or to text People on earth need healthy environments though it remains a daydream without proper waste management The four samples of sentences above may represent how mastery of clause expansion contributes positively to the writing skills

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Summary

Introduction

Of the four language skills in English as a foreign language (EFL) [1], writing used to be least paid attention to as the primary goal of EFL teaching was to develop reading comprehension skills. The grand research question can be further developed into three research questions, namely: (1) To what extent does the intervention prove effective to improve the students’ academic writing skills, especially the use of clause expansion in terms of elaboration?

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