A Case Study of Korean EFL Middle School Students' L2 Writing Assisted by Online Resources

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Although L2 writing is an important skill in L2 language acquisition, it has remained neglected in the EFL context since it is looked upon as a complex skill to be mastered for L2 learners. However, L2 writing can be a vehicle for L2 language learning and, moreover, developing self-regulated learning strategies for L2 learners when properly assisted. While the potentials of L2 writing practice assisted by online resources have been recognized, little empirical research has investigated them.

The primary object of this study was to investigate L2 writing assisted by online resources of Korean EFL middle school students and the potentials of the online resources as useful tools for their L2 learning. The secondary aim of the study was to examine how they developed self-regulation throughout the L2 writing process.

The present study involved three Korean EFL students in their third year of middle school. Throughout sixteen sessions, they wrote a picture description L2 narrative on a computer using a word processing program. Their writing processes and online resource look-ups were screen-recorded. Watching their own recorded writing processes, they were asked what kinds of problems they met and why they performed the queries, and their recall data were subsequently coded. The development of their self-regulated behaviors was also explored based on interview data.

The participants developed their own strategies in using online resources regardless of their L2 language proficiency and analyzed L2 knowledge that they previously had based on the data from online resources. In the process, their awareness of L2 linguistic knowledge was heightened. In addition, as they enjoyed receiving immediate feedback from the resources, they gained more control over their writing. This led them to develop self-regulated learning strategies such as evaluating their writing on their own, setting specific goals for their writing, and making self-initiated efforts to improve their writing.

Keywords: L2 writing, dictionary, online resources, EFL students, self-regulation

Student Number: 2015-23168