ERIC Number: EJ1081311
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1925-4741
EISSN: N/A
Teaching Writing within the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR): A Supplement Asynchronous Blended Learning Approach in an EFL Undergraduate Course in Egypt
Shaarawy, Hanaa Youssef; Lotfy, Nohayer Esmat
Higher Education Studies, v3 n1 p123-135 2013
Based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and following a blended learning approach (a supplement model), this article reports on a quasi-experiment where writing was taught evenly with other language skills in everyday language contexts and where asynchronous online activities were required from students to extend learning beyond classroom hours. The experiment was carried out with freshmen in one of the Egyptian private universities. Twenty one pre-intermediate level students represented the experimental group that was taught the new CEFR course, and twenty six other students of the same level represented the control group that was taught the traditional face to face academically contextualized course. A pre and post writing tests were used to reveal students' writing proficiency before and after the experiment, and a "t" test was also used to measure the development of each group to find out whether their writing has developed after tutoring or not. Results indicated that the experimental group transcended the control group in 70% of the rubrics used to grade students' writing, and when measuring the results of the experimental group in the pretest and the posttest, there was a significant development in their writing proficiency level. This experiment is considered a step towards developing students' learning techniques in the institution; henceforth in the country. The experiment is one of the leading initiatives to teach English as a Foreign Language according to CEFR following a blended learning approach to undergraduate students in Egypt.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Writing Instruction, Asynchronous Communication, Blended Learning, English (Second Language), Undergraduate Students, Quasiexperimental Design, College Freshmen, Private Colleges, Experimental Groups, Control Groups, Writing Tests, Pretests Posttests, Writing Skills, Language Proficiency, Statistical Analysis, Writing Improvement, Tutoring, Scoring Rubrics, Hypothesis Testing
Canadian Center of Science and Education. 1120 Finch Avenue West Suite 701-309, Toronto, OH M3J 3H7, Canada. Tel: 416-642-2606; Fax: 416-642-2608; e-mail: hes@ccsenet.org; Web site: http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/hes
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Egypt
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A