Advances in Language and Literary Studies - Vol. 7 No. 1 - Examining the Impact of Novel Pre-activity Tasks on Macroskills

Oct 15, 2026

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Study investigates how group discussion as a pre-activity task influences writing ability within second/foreign language teaching. The research targets 27 Iranian intermediate EFL learners from Shokuh and Safir Institutes, using control versus experimental groups across 16 sessions. Pretests and posttests are analyzed with SPSS to assess writing outcomes. Results conclude group discussion shows no significant effect on the learners’ writing ability, with implications for teachers and syllabus designers selecting pre-activity tasks.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

1. Introduction

2. Review of Literature

Advances in Language and Literary Studies ISSN: 2203-4714 Vol. 7 No. 1; February 2016 Australian International Academic Centre, Australia | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | Flourishing Creativity & Literacy | | | | | | Examining the Impact of Novel Pre-activity Tasks on Macroskills: The Case of Group Discussion on Writing Ability Hooshang Khoshsima Department of English Language, Chabahar Maritime University, Chabahar, Iran [E-mail: Khoshsima2002@yahoo.com](E-mail: Khoshsima2002@yahoo.com) Esmail Zare-Behtash Department of English Language, Chabahar Maritime University, Chabahar, Iran [E-mail: behtash@cmu.ac.ir](E-mail: behtash@cmu.ac.ir) Mahboobeh Khosravani (Corresponding author) Department of English Language, Chabahar Maritime University, Chabahar, Iran [E-mail: Khosravani7@gmail.com](E-mail: Khosravani7@gmail.com) Doi:10.7575/aiac.alls.v.7n.1p.148 URL: [http://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.7n.1p.148](http://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.7n.1p.148) Received: 11/09/2015 Accepted: 16/11/2015 Abstract The main concern of most researchers in the field of second and foreign language teaching is lessening the problems and eliminating the hinders on the way of learning a language. Writing is considered as one of the most challenging and complicated tasks for learners to perform particularly when they have to write in a second or foreign language. Numerous studies were done on the importance of the pre-writing stage and activities which are directly and indirectly related to the theme of the writing. Accordingly, the main aim of this study was to examine the effects of group discussion as a pre-activity task on writing ability. To this aim, 27 Iranian EFL learners, who were at the same level – intermediate-studying at Shokuh and Safir Institutes, Birjand, Iran were chosen randomly. Two groups-one control and one experimental group-were studied. In control group the conventional method was used in teaching writing, while in experimental group, group discussion pre-activity task was administered. After 16 sessions, the obtained data of the pretests and posttests was analyzed by SPSS software. According to the results, researcher strongly concluded that group discussion has no significant effect on writing ability of Iranian intermediate learners. This study can help teachers and syllabus designers in choosing and applying an effective pre-activity task. Keywords: writing ability, pre-activity task, group discussion, EFL learners 1. Introduction Writing is considered as one of the most challenging and complicated tasks for learners to perform particularly when they have to write in a second or foreign language. All of us may experience it when we start to write about something, we face a lot of difficulties especially in the very beginning. In another words, writing is not only to put our pen on paper and place the words in their right place. In fact, writing is difficult for students as it demands other linguistic, cognitive and metacognitive strategies to be used (Rao, 2007) . Furthermore, Pishghadam and Ghanizadeh (2006) proposed that although students pass several years in writing classes, still they have a lot of problems in the process of writing. On the other hand, the importance and necessity of writing skill is clear for all teachers and researchers as it enables them to think critically, organize their opinions, and finally to compose what they have in their mind. Rao (2007) indicated the importance of writing in this way, “Writing has always been regarded as an important skill in the teaching and learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL) . On the one hand, it stimulates thinking, compels students to concentrate and organize their ideas, and cultivates their ability to summarize, analyze, and criticize. On the other hand, it reinforces learning in, thinking in, and reflecting on the English language”(p.100) . It is believed that most students have diffic

FAQs

What was the main purpose of this study?

To examine the effects of group discussion as a pre-activity task on writing ability.

How was the experiment designed?

Twenty-seven Iranian intermediate EFL learners were assigned to control and experimental groups, and data were collected through pretests and posttests over 16 sessions.

What did the results show about group discussion?

The study strongly concluded that group discussion had no significant effect on the writing ability of Iranian intermediate learners.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Terk