Abstract

Achievement of Iraqi ESL College Students Engaging in HomeAssignments for Developing Writing Skill during Lockdown and Teacher's Role

Rajiha Abbas Sadej, Prof Dr Bushra S Al-Noori

Volume: 11 Issue: 1 2021

Abstract:

Educational institutes all over the world were not exempted from the lockdown created on account of COVID 19 pandemic in the beginning of the year 2020. Educational institutes were compelled to shift to the online mode without time for preparation or training of any kind. The situation was challenging for all but more so for teachers teaching English as a second language. They adapted to the online mode at a short notice. Yet, one can imagine how difficult it must be for language teachers since language is a skill-based subject. Even while engaged in online teaching, teachers experimented with various strategies to make the online virtual learning experience as effective as possible. One such strategy was the use of home assignments. Starting with the assumption that home assignments can complement classroom teaching for developing the writing skills of ESL students, the researcher implemented the experiment in a college of education. 50 students in the first year were randomly selected for the experiment and divided into 2 groups of 25 each. All the 50 students attended the same online sessions; however, the students in the control group were given home assignments regularly for three weeks.A researcher made test was conducted which was based on a standardized writing achievement test. The students who were given home assignments performed better than their counterparts in the control group. The second variable was the role of teachers in using home assignments strategy for improving the writing skills of students. The qualitative analysis intended not to examine the opinion or attitude of teacher; they had no option. So, the set of statements that they responded to were related to their role in the entire process. On the basis of their responses, the researcher was able to list the mandatory duties and responsibilities of English teachers while assigning home tasks.

DOI: http://doi.org/10.37648/ijrssh.v11i01.022

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