Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume 12. Number 4. December 2021 Pp. 503-520
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol12no4.33
ESL Students’ Readiness for Self-Directed Learning in Improving English Writing Skills
Nor Hafizah Adnan
Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
*Corresponding Author: norhafizah@ukm.edu.my
Siti Shakirah Sayadi
Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
sitishakirah.sayadi@gmail.com
Received:10/3/2021 Accepted:11/21/2021 Published:12/17/2021
Abstract:
Self-directed learning among students, particularly at the upper secondary level, is still underexplored in Malaysia. Further understanding of ESL students’ readiness for self-directed learning in improving English writing skills is crucial to exploit the advantages of this learning method for their benefit. Thus, this study aimed to examine the levels of self-directedness among secondary school students and their readiness to apply self-directed learning in improving English writing skills through a survey design. A total of 50 ESL students in a secondary school responded to two sets of questionnaires that measured different variables in this research. The first questionnaire included a self-rating scale of self-directed learning, which consisted of awareness, learning strategies, learning activities, evaluation, and interpersonal skills. The second questionnaire contained questions about students’ readiness for self-directed learning in improving English writing skills. Sampling was done randomly without considering students’ academic level of English. The findings found that most students possessed a medium level of self-directedness with not much difference with the high-level ones. The study then revealed a positive relationship between students’ level of self-directedness and students’ readiness to incorporate self-directed learning in English writing skills. For instance, students with a high level of self-directedness scored higher in students’ readiness for self-directed learning in improving English writing skills than those with a low level of self-directedness. Future studies should consider self-directed learning strategies to promote lifelong effects of positive attributes towards learning experiences, such as discipline, attention, responsible, and creativity in planning learning objectives.
Keywords: ESL student, English writing skills, level of directedness, self-directed learning, students’ readiness
Cite as: Adnan, N.H., & Sayadi, S. S. (2021). ESL Students’ Readiness for Self-Directed Learning in Improving English Writing Skills.
Arab World English Journal, 12 (4) 503-520.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol12no4.33
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