The Use of Technology in Teaching of Writing Among Malaysian ESL Secondary School Teachers

Abstract

The application of technology in education has become a significant option for a more efficient and interactive approach, particularly in language teaching. However, few studies have investigated the use of technology in the teaching of writing in English language classrooms, especially in the Malaysian context. The present study investigates the teaching of writing practices and technology tools employed by English as a second language teachers when teaching writing skills. Using Technology Acceptance Model as the underpinning theory, this study also examines the effectiveness of the use of technology in the teaching of writing by collecting data from forty secondary school English teachers in Malaysia using a set of questionnaires. The findings indicated that technology is an important tool to improve students’ writing skills, assist teachers as a teaching aid and promote student engagement in the classroom. However, the lack of technical support hinders some teachers from using technology because it takes a lot of time which disrupts the teaching and learning process. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that technology plays an important role in helping teachers to improve students’ writing skills. Significantly, the findings of this study provide evidence to improve the application of technology in language teaching and learning.