The Benefits of Formula Instruction in Enhancing EAP Learners’ Academic Writing Performance

Authors

  • Nor Ashikin Ab Manan Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Perak, Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia.
  • Paramaswari Jaganathan Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17722/jell.v2i1.31

Keywords:

Teaching Academic Formulas, Academic Language, Academic Writing Performance

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the benefit of direct instruction of academic formulas (DIAF) on the subjects’ academic writing performance. Two intact groups of Diploma in Computer Science students assigned as the experimental and control groups participated in the study. Each group consists of forty mixed ability ESL learners who were enrolled in an academic writing course. DIAF was incorporated into the academic writing course employing a process-oriented writing approach and was conducted over six weeks out of the fourteen-week semester. Pre and post academic essay writing (AEW) tests were utilized for quantitative data collection while focus group interview was utilized for collecting the qualitative data. This paper discusses the results of the study by focusing on the effects of DIAF on learners from different proficiency level.

Author Biographies

Nor Ashikin Ab Manan, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Perak, Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia.

First Author (Corresponding Author)

Nor Ashikin Ab Manan* is an English language lecturer from the Academy of Language Studies, UiTM Perak, Malaysia. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree from Universiti Sains Malaysia. She has a Masters degree from the University of Stirling, Scotland, U.K. and a Bachelor of Science from the Ohio States University, U.S.A. Her research interest includes learning strategies, teaching methodologies and language testing.

Paramaswari Jaganathan, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Dr Paramaswari Jaganathan is a senior lecturer at the School of Languages, Literacies and Translation, Universiti Sains Malaysia. She has published several research articles in international journals. One of her publications is: Jaganathan, P., Mahfoodh, O.H.A., Lee, P. L. & Gan, P. H.(2013). Measuring Language Effects of Bilingual Advertisements on the Language Preference among Chinese students in a University. New Media and Mass Communication, 18. Retrieved from: www.iiste.org

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Published

2014-08-30

How to Cite

Manan, N. A. A. and Jaganathan, P. (2014) “The Benefits of Formula Instruction in Enhancing EAP Learners’ Academic Writing Performance”, Journal of English Language and Literature (ISSN: 2368-2132), 2(1), pp. 141–153. doi: 10.17722/jell.v2i1.31.