Motivational Teaching Strategies and EFL Students' Essay Writing Proficiency

Abstract

Motivation is considered a complex and challenging issue in teaching, especially in second language courses. Many studies have been conducted about motivational strategies in teaching English language, however, the research that focuses on essay writing is still rare. Therefore, this research aims to describe the effect of the motivational strategies on students’ essay writing proficiency and their response to its implementation. These strategies include Creating the Basic Motivational Condition (CBMC), Generating Initial Motivation (GIM), Maintaining and Protecting Motivation (MPM), and Encouraging Positive Retrospective Self-Evaluation (EPRS). The research participants were third-semester undergraduates in a private university, in Indonesia, that enrolled in essay writing. The data were collected by conducting essay writing tests and interviews. The results revealed that there was a statistically significant impact on the students' writing scores, as observed from the improvement from their pre-test to post-test scores In addition, the data from the interview showed the students’ positive response and consciousness of their writing progress which indicated the appropriateness of the strategies in their class. The results showed the necessity of implementing motivational strategies as a new model of English instruction by writing lecturers and English teachers in general.

E-learning Outcomes during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Learner motivation is regarded as a complex and difficult issue in education (Dewi et al, 2021). The five main factors that affect student motivation are students, teachers, content, method/process, and environment (Meşe & Çiğdem, 2021).…”

An Examination of EFL Undergraduates’ Writing Error Types and Frequency in WhatsApp Chat Messaging: Exploring Key Factors

“…To attain fluency in writing, language learners must expand their vocabulary, grasp idiomatic expressions, and comprehend the nuances of grammar. Scholars also identify the best instructional strategies, including the integration of information technology and social media platforms, to create a climate that motivates students to improve their writing skills [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. Consequently, writing pedagogy in EFL contexts has garnered a lot of scholarly attention, including debates and discussions on the effectiveness of using digital platforms like WhatsApp for teaching, especially in terms of how well they affect writing instruction and learning quality [14][15][16][17][18][19].…”