METADATA
Title: Exploring the impact of form and content feedback on EFL writing proficiency: A quasi-experimental study.
Vol. 12(3), 2024, pp. 31-56.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46687/PLYN8876.
Author: Mevlüde Çiçek
About the author: Mevlüde Çiçek is employed as an EFL instructor at the School of Foreign Languages at Karadeniz Technical University in Turkey. She received her BA degree in English Language Teaching from Istanbul University and her MA degree in Applied Linguistics from Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon. She is a PhD candidate at the Department of English Language Teaching at Middle East Technical University, Ankara. Her research interests include EFL writing, curriculum development, and professional teacher well-being.
e-mail: m.abdioglu@ktu.edu.tr
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3029-0868
Author: Mustafa Naci Kayaoğlu
About the author: Mustafa Naci Kayaoğlu received his doctorate in applied linguistics from the University of Edinburgh, England. He is a professor at Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey. His articles appear in Computer Assisted Language Learning, Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, And Social Behaviour and Personality among others. His fields of research include Social Sciences and Humanities, Education in Foreign Languages, Education in English.
e-mail: naci@ktu.edu.tr
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8630-4803
Link: http://silc.fhn-shu.com/issues/2024-3/SILC_2024_Vol_12_Issue_3_031-056_26.pdf
Citation (APA): Çiçek, М., & Kayaoğlu, M. N. (2024). Exploring the impact of form and content feedback on EFL writing proficiency: A quasi-experimental study. Studies in Linguistics, Culture, and FLT,12(3), 31-56. https://doi.org/10.46687/PLYN8876.
Abstract: With process-oriented approaches becoming the norm in writing classes, teacher-written feedback has gained significance in teaching, learning, and educational research. As a result, writing instructors dedicate a considerable amount of time to providing feedback. However, research on the impact of written feedback from teachers has produced inconsistent findings regarding its effectiveness. The primary objective of this study is to examine the effects of feedback targeting form and content on the writing proficiency of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students in areas of content, organisation, vocabulary, grammar, and mechanics. For this study, we used a quasi-experimental design. We formed two groups: an experimental group that received feedback focused on content and a control group that received feedback focused on form. We collected both qualitative and quantitative data through writing tests as well as semi-structured interviews. The results showed significant improvement in writing for both groups. Qualitative analysis revealed that students still view grammar as important, strive for accuracy, and may resist feedback regarding the communication of information in their writing.
Keywords: Form-focused feedback, content-focused feedback, written teacher feedback, writing performance, EFL writing
References:
Albelihi, H. H. M. (2022). Written corrective feedback: A comparative study of the preferences and beliefs of EFL teachers and learners in Saudi Arabia. F1000Research, 11(452). https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.108680.1.
Al-Jarrah, R. S. (2016). A suggested model of corrective feedback provision. Ampersand, 3, 98-107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amper.2016.06.003.
Ashwell, T. (2000). Patterns of teacher response to student writing in a multiple-draft composition classroom: Is content feedback followed by form feedback the best method? Journal of Second Language Writing, 9(3), 227–257. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1060-3743(00)00027-8.
Badger, R., & White, G. (2000). A process genre approach to teaching writing. ELT Journal, 54(2), 153–160. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/54.2.153.
Baghzou, S. (2011). The effects of content feedback on students’ writing. Ankara Üniversitesi Dil ve Tarih-Coğrafya Fakültesi Dergisi, 51(2), 169-180. https://doi.org/10.1501/Dtcfder_0000001275.
Bates, L., Lane, J., & Lange, E. (1993). Writing Clearly: Responding to ESL Compositions, Heinle and Heinle Publishers.
Benson, S., & DeKeyser, R. (2019). Effects of written corrective feedback and language aptitude on verb tense accuracy. Language Teaching Research, 23(6), 702-726. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362168818770921.
Bhatta, D. D., & Lian, Y. (2023). Chinese EFL students’ perceptions and self-reported practice of teachers’ written feedback in writing compositions. In V. P. H. Pham, A. Lian, A. Lian & N. T. Hoang (Eds.), Proceedings of the 19th International Conference of the Asia Association of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (AsiaCALL, 2022) (pp. 153-166). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-042-8_14.
Biber, D., Nekrasova, T., & Horn, B. (2011). The effectiveness of feedback for L1‐English and L2‐writing development: A Meta‐analysis, ETS Research Report Series, 2011(1), 1-99. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2333-8504.2011.tb02241.x.
Bitchener, J. (2008). Evidence in support of written corrective feedback. Journal of Second Language Writing, 17(2), 69-124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jslw.2007.11.004.
Bitchener, J. (2018). Teacher written feedback. In J. I. Liontas (Ed), The TESOL encyclopedia of English language teaching, (pp. 1–7), John Wiley & Sons, Inc. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118784235.eelt0506.
Bitchener, J., & Knoch, U. (2009). The relative effectiveness of different types of direct written corrective feedback. System, 37(2), 322-329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2008.12.006.
Bonilla López, M., Van Steendam, E., Speelman, D., & Buyse, K. (2018). The differential effects of comprehensive feedback forms in the second language writing class. Language Learning, 68(3), 813-850. https://doi.org/10.1111/lang.12295.
Buckingham, L., & Aktuğ-Ekinci, D. (2017). Interpreting coded feedback on writing: Turkish EFL students approaches to revision. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 26, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2017.01.001.
Chandler, J. (2003). The efficacy of various kinds of error feedback for improvement in the accuracy and fluency of L2 student writing. Journal of Second Language Writing, 12(3), 267–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1060-3743(03)00038-9.
Chaudron, C. (1998). Second language classrooms: Research on teaching and learning. Cambridge University Press.
Cheng, X., Zhang, L. J., & Yan, Q. (2021). Exploring teacher written feedback in EFL writing classrooms: Beliefs and practices in interaction. Language Teaching Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/13621688211057665.
Christie, C. (2007). Content analysis. In R. Baumeister & K. Vohs (Eds.), Encyclopedia of social psychology (p. 176). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Cumming, A. H. (2006). Introduction, purpose, and conceptual foundations. In A. H. Cumming (Ed.), Goals for academic writing: ESL students and their instructors, (pp. 1–10), John Benjamins Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1075/lllt.15.02cum.
Ellis, R. (2008). A typology of written corrective feedback types. ELT Journal, 63(2), 97–107. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccn023.
Fathman, A., & Whalley, E. (1990). Teacher response to student writing: Focus on form versus content. In B. Kroll (Ed.), Second language writing: Research insights for the classroom (Cambridge Applied Linguistics), (pp. 178–190). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139524551.016.
Ferris, D., & Roberts, B. (2001). Error feedback in L2 writing classes: How explicit does it need to be? Journal of Second Language Writing, 10(3), 161–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1060-3743(01)00039-X.
Ferris, D. (1999). The case for grammar correction in L2 writing classes: A response to Truscott. Journal of Second Language Writing, 8(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1060-3743(99)80110-6.
Ferris, D. (2003). Response to student writing: Implications for second language students. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410607201.
Ferris, D. (2014). Responding to student writing: Teachers’ philosophies and practices. Assessing Writing, 19, 6–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asw.2013.09.004.
Ferris, D. R. (1995). Can advanced ESL students be taught to correct their most serious and frequent errors? CATESOL Journal, 8, 41-62. https://doi.org/10.5070/B5.36549.
Ferris, D. R., & Helt, M. (2000). Was Truscott right? New evidence on the effects of error correction in L2 writing classes. Proceedings of the American Association of Applied Linguistics Conference, Vancouver, (pp. 11-14).
Gardner, A., & Johnson, D. (1997). Teaching personal experience narrative in the elementary and beyond. Northern Arizona Writing Project Press.
Hakimi, M. (2020). Teacher written feedback in EFL classroom: Abu Hayyan al-Tawhidi High school-Kenitra, Morocco-as a case study. International Journal for Innovation Education and Research, 8(7), 226-248. https://doi.org/10.31686/ijier.vol8.iss7.2472.
Hillocks, G. (2005). At last: The focus on form vs. content in teaching writing. Research in the teaching of English, 40(2), 238–248. https://doi.org/10.58680/rte20054496.
Hyland, K. (2003). Second language writing. Cambridge University Press.
Hyland, K. (2008). Writing theories and writing pedagogies. Indonesian JELT, 4(2), 1–20.
Hyland, K. (2009). Teaching and researching writing. (3rd ed.), Pearson. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315717203.
Junqueira, L., & Payant, C. (2015). I just want to do it right, but it’s so hard: A novice teacher’s written feedback beliefs and practices. Journal of Second Language Writing, 27, 19-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jslw.2014.11.001.
Karim, K., & Nassaji, H. (2020). The revision and transfer effects of direct and indirect comprehensive corrective feedback on ESL students’ writing. Language Teaching Research, 24(4), 519-539. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362168818802469.
Keh, C. L. (1990). Feedback in the writing process: A model and methods for implementation. ELT Journal, 44(4) 294-304. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/44.4.294.
Leki, I. (1991). The preferences of ESL students for error correction in college‐level writing classes. Foreign Language Annals, 24(3), 203–218. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.1991.tb00464.x.
Li, S., & Roshan, S. (2019). The associations between working memory and the effects of four different types of written corrective feedback. Journal of Second Language Writing, 45, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jslw.2019.03.003.
Matsuda, P. K., & Silva, T. (2013). Second language writing research: Perspectives on the process of knowledge construction. Routledge.
Miao, J., Chang, J., & Ma, L. (2023). Research trends of written corrective feedback in L2 writing: A bibliometric analysis. Sage Open, 13(1), https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221135172.
Murray, D. (1972). Teach writing as a process not product. The Leaflet, 71(3), 11–14.
Nguyen, N. L. T., Nguyen, B. T. T., & Hoang, G. T. L. (2021). Students’ perceptions of teachers’ written feedback on EFL writing in a Vietnamese tertiary context. Language Related Research, 12(5), 405-431.
Park, E. (2006). Review article on the effectiveness of teacher’s written feedback on L2 writing. English Language Teaching, 5, 61–73. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/242531333.
Pu, J. (2023). Learner uptake with automated feedback and teacher feedback in an online EFL writing context. Studies in English Language Teaching, 11(2), 43–61. https://doi.org/10.22158/selt.v11n2p43.
Sinaga, D. C., Siregar, M., & Nasution, R. D. (2020). The focuses of teacher’s written feedback on students’ descriptive text at the tenth grade of Sman 1 Tanah Jawa. Genre Journal, 9(3), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.24114/genre.v9i3.24455.
Susser, B. (1994). Process approaches in ESL/EFL writing instruction, Journal of Second Language Writing, 3(1), 31–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/1060-3743(94)90004-3.
Tribble, C. (1996). Writing. Oxford University Press.
Truscott, J. (1996). The case against grammar correction in L2 writing classes. Language Learning, 46(2), 327–369. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-1770.1996.tb01238.x.