International Association of Educators   |  ISSN: 1308-9501

Original article | International Journal of Educational Researchers 2016, Vol. 7(2) 25-38

Developing EAP writing skills through genre-based instruction: An action research

Kutay Uzun

pp. 25 - 38   |  Manu. Number: ijers.2016.006

Published online: June 01, 2016  |   Number of Views: 271  |  Number of Download: 780


Abstract

The primary aim of the present study is to reveal if Genre-Based Instruction improves the organization of theme analysis essays written by students as a part of the English Literature I course. Secondarily, the study aims to put forth how Genre-Based Instruction is perceived by the participants in terms of its positives and negatives. The participants of the study are 28 volunteer students who take the course. The study has a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design and the data is collected by means of a checklist developed by the researcher and an open-ended questionnaire. To compare the adherence of the participant essays to the checklist before and after the procedure, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test is utilized. Mcnemar Test is used to test the significance of change before and after the instruction. The findings suggest that the procedure has contributed positively to the participant essays in terms of their adherence to the checklist. Qualitative findings show that most participants perceive the procedure positively, while a few participants report several negatives. The findings are discussed in the conclusion section.

Keywords: Genre Theory, Genre-based Instruction, Argumentative Essay, Theme Analysis, English for


How to Cite this Article?

APA 6th edition
Uzun, K. (2016). Developing EAP writing skills through genre-based instruction: An action research. International Journal of Educational Researchers, 7(2), 25-38.

Harvard
Uzun, K. (2016). Developing EAP writing skills through genre-based instruction: An action research. International Journal of Educational Researchers, 7(2), pp. 25-38.

Chicago 16th edition
Uzun, Kutay (2016). "Developing EAP writing skills through genre-based instruction: An action research". International Journal of Educational Researchers 7 (2):25-38.

References
  1. Beaufort, A. (2004). Developmental gains of a history major: A case for building a theory of disciplinary writing expertise. Research in the Teaching of English, 39, 136-185. [Google Scholar]
  2. Brown, H. D. (1994). Teaching by Principles: An Integrated Approach to Language Pedagogy. New Jersey: Prentice Hall Regents. [Google Scholar]
  3. Coe, R.M. (1994). Teaching genre as process. In Freedman, A & Medway, P. [Eds.]. Learning and teaching genre (pp. 157-169). Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann/ Boynton-Cook. [Google Scholar]
  4. Derewianka, B. (1990). Exploring how texts work. Rozelle, N.S.W.: Primary English Teaching Association. [Google Scholar]
  5. Freedman, A., Adam, C. (1996). Learning to write professionally: “Situated learning” and the transition from university to professional discourse. Journal of Business and Technical Communication, 10, 395-427. [Google Scholar]
  6. Gentil, G. (2005). Commitments to academic biliteracy: Case studies of francophone university writers. Written Communication, 22, 421-471. [Google Scholar]
  7. Gere, A. R., Aull, L., Escudero, M. D. P., Lancaster, Z., Lei, E. V. (2013). Local assessment: Using genre analysis to validate directed self-placement. College Composition and Communication, 64(4), 605-633. [Google Scholar]
  8. Henry, A., Roseberry, R. L. (1998). An evaluation of a genre-based approach to the teaching of EAP/ESP writing. TESOL Quarterly, 32(1), 147-156. [Google Scholar]
  9. Hinkel, E. (2002). Second language writers’ text: Linguistic and rhetorical features. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates [Google Scholar]
  10. Hyland, K. (1990). A genre description of the argumentative essay. RELC Journal, 21(1), 66-78. [Google Scholar]
  11. Hyon, S. (1996). Genres in three traditions: Implications for ESL. TESOL Quarterly, 30, 693–722. [Google Scholar]
  12. Johns, A. M. (1997). Text, role, and context: Developing academic literacies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [Google Scholar]
  13. Kain, P. (1999). Beginning the academic essay. Writing Center at Harvard University. Retrieved from http://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/beginning-academic-essay on 23.11.2015. [Google Scholar]
  14. Larson-Hall, J. (2009). A guide to doing statistics in second language research using SPSS. New York and London: Routledge. [Google Scholar]
  15. Leki, I., & Carson, J. (1997). Completely Different Worlds: EAP and the Writing Experiences of ESL Students in University Courses. TESOL Quarterly, 39-69. [Google Scholar]
  16. Levin, J. R., Serlin, R. C. (2000). Changing Students’ Perspectives of McNemar’s Test of Change. Journal of Statistics Education, 8(2). Retrieved from http://www.amstat.org/publications/JSE/secure/v8n2/levin.cfm on 30.12.2015. [Google Scholar]
  17. Lynn, M.R. (1986). Determination and quantification of content validity. Nursing Research, 35, 382– 385. [Google Scholar]
  18. Osman, H. (2004). Genre-based instruction for ESP. The English Teacher, 33, 13-29. [Google Scholar]
  19. Pallant, J. (2007). SPSS survival manual: A step by step guide to data analysis using SPSS for Windows. Maidenhead: Open University Press. [Google Scholar]
  20. Paltridge, B. (1996). Genre, text type and the language learning classroom. Oxford ELT Journal, 50, 237-243. [Google Scholar]
  21. Polit, D.F., & Beck, C.T. (2004). Nursing research: Principles and methods (7th ed.) Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins. [Google Scholar]
  22. Reppen, R. (1995). A genre-based approach to content writing instruction. TESOL Journal, 4(2), 32-35. [Google Scholar]
  23. Swales, J.M. (1990). Genre analysis: English in academic and research settings. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [Google Scholar]
  24. Taguchi, N. (2008). Longitudinal gain of higher-order inferential abilities in L2 English: Accuracy, speed, and conventionality. In L. Ortega & H. Byrnes (Eds.), The longitudinal study of advanced L2 capacities (pp. 203-222). New York: Routledge. [Google Scholar]
  25. Tardy, C. (2006). Researching first and second language genre learning: A comparative review and a look ahead. Journal of Second Language Writing, 15(2), 79-101. [Google Scholar]
  26. Thaiss, C., Zawacki, T. (2006). Engaged writers dynamic disciplines. Portsmouth: Boyton/ Cook. [Google Scholar]