Flowchart: Scaffolding Narrative Writing in an English as a Second Language (ESL) Primary Classroom

Abstract

Learning to write can be a nightmare, be it on the natives or second language. Various approaches, methods, and techniques were tested by researches to improve the writing skills of learners with multiple issues in mastering the craft. Nevertheless, the standards of writing achievements among second language learners are remarkably frustrating. In Malaysia, teaching writing to the primary school pupils is one of the biggest concerns as pupils expected to compose narratives as assessment in the public primary education. Concerning this, this research aimed to measure the effectiveness of the flow chart to improve pupils' narrative writing and to investigate pupils' achievement levels in each narrative writing component. Besides, it identifies the pedagogical strategies that lead to the scaffolding of narrative writing. Action research carried out with 12 intervention sessions in two cycles. Each Cycle involved three stages: planning, action, and reflection. A total of 25 Year Four urban primary school pupils participated in this study. The researcher obtained the data via pre and posttest, analysis of pupils' narrative writing, and classroom observations. The findings showed that there was a significant improvement in pupils' posttest scores and narrative writing assessment components. This study is essential to improve narrative writing achievement and benefit teachers who teach narrative writing in primary and secondary schools to enhance pupils' performances. Studies in the future should include pupils from rural area schools with low proficiency levels to compare the findings in employing flow chart in narrative writing.