Chan, Weng Fatt
(2007)
The Effects Of Time Constraints And
Proficiency On Esl Essay Writing
Performance.
[Teaching Resource]
(Submitted)
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of time and proficiency on ESL writing
performance. The subjects of the study were two groups of undergraduates, namely
proficient and less proficient speakers of English. To test the effects of time and English
proficiency on their writing performance, the subjects each wrote a 45-minute essay and
a 30-minute essay. These essays and the prewriting drafts form the basic corpus of the
study. To complement the data from the essays, the study also employed structured
questionnaires that tapped relevant information from subjects concerning their writing
with regard to their English proficiency and time constraints.
The study employed a two by two factorial design in its methodology to
determine the interaction effects of time and proficiency, and the main effects on essay
scores, component scores and prewriting drafts. The factorial design was used because
it was appropriate and effective in multi-factored studies such as this which involved the
interaction of time and proficiency with essay writing and essay components.
The analyses reveal that the total essay scores and three of the five component
scores of essays written in 45 minutes were significantly better than those written in 30
minutes. The analyses of the questionnaire responses suggest that the subjects viewed
the adequacy of time due to the extra 15 minutes, as the reason for the increase of
essay scores and component scores in the 45 minute essays.
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