Using Portfolio Assessment to Enhance Reflective Writing in EFL Classrooms

Abstract

There has been an increasing interest on research which documents the significance of portfolios in foreign language instruction in general and teaching writing in particular. The primary focus of the current work is to explore the effectiveness of portfolio assessment in developing English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students' reflective writing. In order to fulfill this objective, an experimental research design was conducted. The sample was composed of one hundred second year students of English at the University of Laghouat-Algeria. The data were collected through the following experimental tools: Interview, Pre-Post Writing Tests, and Pre/Post Self-Reporting Questionnaires. Students were asked to write about ten reflective topics which are drawn from their own experiences. The main findings demonstrated that reflective writings of students were improved after the use of portfolio assessment method and which confirms that portfolio assessment stratagem has significant effects in developing students' reflective writing in terms of both process and product. And henceforth; this research suggests that portfolio assessment keeping deserves to be taken into consideration in the curriculum of EFL Teaching Departments in Algeria.

The effectiveness of writing techniques in improving students’ writing ability with different self-esteem

“…She said that writing with RLP makes the students feel comfortable working with their writing tasks. Besides, Boumediene et al (2018) also supported this research finding and stated that writing about topics requiring reflection enables students to express their feelings, thoughts, and judgments more comfortably. Mazlan et al (2015) added that RLP allows the students to provide feedback to their peers; the feedback may include arguments, compliments, corrections, and suggestions of the writing task, improving the way the students communicate in the written form.…”

“…The reflection in RLP is the process that allows the students to evaluate their work and think about what they are doing, for taking charge of their growth and development (Boumediene et al, 2018). The comments, corrections, and suggestions in RLP help the students to evaluate their writing progress.…”

Pre-service English teachers’ reflective practice via online journaling during school-based teaching internship program at the time of Covid-19 pandemic

“…In general, reflective writing can help students improve their writing skills. It is a useful tool for students to improve their critical and creative thinking skills, and reinforce their acquired knowledge by reflecting on personal experiences (Boumediene, Berrahal, & Hardji, 2018). Critical reflection through journal writing as part of PSETs' e-portfolio can encourage critical thinking among studentteachers.…”