Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume 17. Number 3, September 2026 Pp. 22-41

The Effect of Teacher Support on Saudi EFL Learners’ Writing Quality: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Department of English Language and Literature,
Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract:

This study investigates the effect of structured multidimensional teacher support on the writing quality of Saudi English as a foreign language learners and explores how they perceive the support provided during L2 writing instruction. The study provides empirical evidence on the role of structured multidimensional teacher support in improving EFL learners’ writing quality, a topic that has received limited attention in intervention-based research. A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design was employed with 81 Saudi female undergraduate students enrolled in an academic writing course. Students in the experimental group received structured multidimensional teacher support, whereas those in the control group followed regular writing instruction. Writing quality was assessed using an analytic writing rubric, and learners’ perceptions were measured through a questionnaire. The findings revealed significant improvements in the experimental group’s overall writing quality as well as in content, organization, vocabulary, and language use. However, after controlling for pretest differences, organization was the only component for which the experimental group demonstrated a statistically significant advantage over the control group. Participants also reported highly positive perceptions of teacher support, particularly informational and appraisal support. The findings highlight the potential value of structured teacher support in second language writing instruction. The study recommends incorporating structured multidimensional teacher support into L2 writing contexts and encourages future research to include different learner populations, proficiency levels, writing genres, and longer intervention periods.

Cite as:

Alkhalifah, E. (2026). The Effect of Teacher Support on Saudi EFL Learners’ Writing Quality: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Arab World English Journal, 17(3):22-41

References:

Abdel Latif, M. M., Alghizzi, T. M., & Alshahrani, T. M. (2025). Teacher motivational strategies in Saudi university EFL writing classes: A qualitative study. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1483456.‏ https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1483456

Affuso, G. et al. (2025). The reciprocal effects of learning motivation perceived academic self-efficacy and academic performance in adolescence: a four-wave longitudinal study. European Journal of Psychology of Education, 40(1), 6.‏ https://doi.org/10.1007/s10212-024-00900-y

Alfaro, E. C., Umaña‐Taylor, A. J., & Bámaca, M. Y. (2006). The influence of academic support on Latino adolescents’ academic motivation. Family Relations, 55(3), 279-291.‏

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2006.00402.x

Alghammas, A. (2020). The weaknesses of English writing skills among undergraduate Saudi students majoring in English at Qassim University: A perspective of English faculty. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3621267

Alhudib, A. M. (2024). How Saudi Undergraduate Students Perceive Teacher Support, Basic Psychological Needs, and Academic Motivation (Doctoral dissertation, Northern Illinois University).‏ https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/allgraduate-thesesdissertations/7865

Alkubaidi, M. (2019). An action research on EFL writing dilemmas: A case of Saudi students and instructors. Arab World English Journal, 10(3), 151–164. https://doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol10no3.10

Alshahrani, A., & Storch, N. (2025). Investigating the effectiveness of scaffolded feedback on EFL Saudi students’ writing accuracy: A longitudinal classroom-based study. Assessing Writing, 63, 100910.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asw.2024.100910

Alzahrani, R. (2023). Investigating the Effect of Motivational Design on Saudi University Students’ Motivation and L2 Writing Performance: An Experimental Mixed Methods Design Using Keller’s ARCS Model (Unpublished Doctoral dissertation). University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. https://hdl.handle.net/10125/107904

Alzahrani, S. M., & Chaudhary, A. (2025). Classroom research to measure the perceived impact of English writing course on EFL female university students. Arab World English Journal, 16(2), 3–19. https://doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol16no2.1

Bingham, G. E., Quinn, M. F., & Gerde, H. K. (2017). Examining early childhood teachers’ writing practices: Associations between pedagogical supports and children’s writing skills. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 39, 35-46.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2017.01.002

Brandisauskiene, A. et al. (2021). Sustainable school environment as a landscape for secondary school students’ engagement in learning. Sustainability, 13(21), 11714.‏ https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111714

De Guerrero, M. C., & Villamil, O. S. (2000). Activating the ZPD: Mutual scaffolding in L2 peer revision. The Modern Language Journal, 84(1), 51-68.‏

https://doi.org/10.1111/0026-7902.00052

Elsayed, A. M., Kholikov, A., Abdullayeva, I., Al-Farouni, M., & Wodajo, M. R. (2024). Teacher support in AI-assisted exams: an experimental study to inspect the effects on demotivation, anxiety management in exams, L2 learning experience, and academic success. Language Testing in Asia, 14(1), 53.‏ https://doi.org/10.1186/s40468-024-00328-7

Farooqui, A. (2023). Writing assignments difficulties, factors, and solutions: ESL teachers’ perspectives. Arab World English Journal, 14(4), 358–371. https://doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol14no4.22

Hasan, M., & Karim, M. R. (2019). Scaffolding effects on writing acquisition skills in EFL context. Arab World English Journal, 10(4), 288-298. https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol10no4.21

House, J. S. (1981). Work stress and social support. Addison-Wesley.

Huang, K. (2026). How perceived teacher support boosts learning engagement: The chain mediating roles of second language grit and foreign language enjoyment. Acta Psychologica, 263, 106380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2026.106380

Jacobs, H. L. (1981). Testing ESL composition: A practical approach. English composition program. Newbury House Publishers, Inc., Rowley, MA 01969.‏

Lei, H., Cui, Y., & Chiu, M. M. (2018). The relationship between teacher support and students’ academic emotions: A meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 2288.‏  https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02288

Liu, X. X., Gong, S. Y., Zhang, H. P., Yu, Q. L., & Zhou, Z. J. (2021). Perceived teacher support and creative self-efficacy: The mediating roles of autonomous motivation and achievement emotions in Chinese junior high school students. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 39, 100752.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2020.100752

Malecki, C. K., & Demaray, M. K. (2003). What type of support do they need? Investigating student adjustment as related to emotional, informational, appraisal, and instrumental support. School Psychology Quarterly, 18(3), 231-252.‏ https://doi.org/10.1521/scpq.18.3.231.22576

Malecki, C. K., & Elliott, S. N. (1999). Adolescents’ ratings of perceived social support and its importance: Validation of the Student Social Support Scale. Psychology in the Schools, 36(6), 473-483.‏ https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1520-6807(199911)36:6<473::AID-PITS3>3.0.CO;2-0

Manchón, R. M. (Ed.). (2011). Learning-to-write and writing-to-learn in an additional language. John Benjamins Publishing Company. https://doi.org/10.1075/lllt.31

Obeiah, S. F., & Bataineh, R. F. (2015). Does scaffolding-based instruction improve writing performance? The case of Jordanian EFL learners. Lublin Studies in Modern Languages and Literature, 39(2).‏ http://dx.doi.org/10.17951/lsmll.2015.39.2.106

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.68

Ryan, A. M., & Patrick, H. (2001). The classroom social environment and changes in adolescents’ motivation and engagement during middle school. American Educational Research Journal, 38(2), 437-460.‏ https://doi.org/10.3102/00028312038002437

Shen, B., Li, W., Sun, H., & Rukavina, P. B. (2010). The influence of inadequate teacher-to-student social support on amotivation of physical education students. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 29(4), 417-432.‏ https://doi.org/10.1123/jtpe.29.4.417

Tao, Y., Meng, Y., Gao, Z., & Yang, X. (2022). Perceived teacher support, student engagement, and academic achievement: A meta-analysis. Educational Psychology, 42(4), 401-420.‏ https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2022.2033168

Van Beuningen, C. G., De Jong, N. H., & Kuiken, F. (2012), Evidence on the effectiveness of comprehensive error correction in second language writing. Language Learning, 62 (1), 1-41. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9922.2011.00674.x

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.

Wood, D., Bruner, J. S., & Ross, G. (1976). The role of tutoring in problem solving. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 17(2), 89–100. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.1976.tb00381.x

Wu, J. et al. (2024). The perceived teacher support scale (PTSS) for students: Development and psychometric studies. International Journal of Educational Research, 128, 102487.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2024.102487.

Zhang, Y. (2024). The impact of teacher academic support and L2 writing self on feedback-seeking behavior. Reading and Writing, 38(4), 1197–1215. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11145-024-10557-0

Zhang, W., & Hu, J. (2025). The relationship between perceived teacher support and student engagement in Chinese senior high school English classrooms: The mediating role of learning motivation. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1563682.‏ https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1563682

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Tumblr
Reddit
Email
StumbleUpon
Digg

Eman Alkhalifah is an assistant professor at the College of Languages and Translation at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Her research focuses on second language writing and learner development in English as a foreign language. She is particularly interested in how instructional practices, learner engagement, and emerging technologies shape language learning experiences and outcomes.
ORCiD ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7992-6432