Developing students’ argumentative skills in ESL lessons
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Authors
Alikulova, Xeniya
Abisheva, Kulshat
Issue Date
2024
Educational Level
ISCED Level 2 Lower secondary education
Curriculum Area
Geographical Setting
Kazakhstan
Abstract
Background: The rationale of the study is due to the challenge we faced in ESL classes with 8th grade. The problem was that students demonstrated poor-developed skills of reasoning struggling to develop arguments that would prove their viewpoint in speaking and writing. Further, there was little rapport between students as some of them were quite dominant compared to their shyer classmates.
Aims: We aimed to investigate how we could improve students’ argumentative skills in speaking and writing activities in the context of ESL lessons. Further, we wanted to encourage more active collaboration among our students.
Study design or methodology: The research was conducted among 8th grade students over three consecutive English lessons during the academic year. A focus group, which consisted of a group of language teachers, observed these research lessons. We used observation, interview, and survey to collect the data. As research instruments we used questionnaires, scales, check lists, and observation forms.
Findings: The results show that encouraging collaboration and active discussion among students improved their reasoning skills. Further, the class rapport became more friendly and helpful. The teachers’ observation revealed that students’ justification of their opinions became more confident and fluent, currently they analyse information faster and use stronger arguments in speaking and writing.
Conclusions and implications: Collaborative activities proved to be effective methods to improve students’ argumentative skills. Putting students with similar English levels in groups had a positive impact on their learning gains. This lesson study project helped teachers to reconsider how they work on students’ skills development and provided some useful insights on how to organise their collaboration effectively. Further study will focus on the teacher's role in promoting an active collaboration among students in the ESL context.
Aims: We aimed to investigate how we could improve students’ argumentative skills in speaking and writing activities in the context of ESL lessons. Further, we wanted to encourage more active collaboration among our students.
Study design or methodology: The research was conducted among 8th grade students over three consecutive English lessons during the academic year. A focus group, which consisted of a group of language teachers, observed these research lessons. We used observation, interview, and survey to collect the data. As research instruments we used questionnaires, scales, check lists, and observation forms.
Findings: The results show that encouraging collaboration and active discussion among students improved their reasoning skills. Further, the class rapport became more friendly and helpful. The teachers’ observation revealed that students’ justification of their opinions became more confident and fluent, currently they analyse information faster and use stronger arguments in speaking and writing.
Conclusions and implications: Collaborative activities proved to be effective methods to improve students’ argumentative skills. Putting students with similar English levels in groups had a positive impact on their learning gains. This lesson study project helped teachers to reconsider how they work on students’ skills development and provided some useful insights on how to organise their collaboration effectively. Further study will focus on the teacher's role in promoting an active collaboration among students in the ESL context.
Description
Keywords (free text)
student thinking , logical reasoning , argumentative skills , ESL