Methods and - Approaches - in - Teaching - Writing - Skill - in - ESL - Classrooms

International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and
Development
Vol. 8 , No. 4, 2019, E-ISSN: 2 2 2 6 -6348 © 2019 HRMARS
Systematic Review: Approaches in Teaching Writing Skill in

ESL Classrooms
Melanie Selvaraj & Azlina Abdul Aziz
To Link this Article: http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARPED/v8-i4/6564 DOI:10.6007/IJARPED/v8-i4/6564
Received: 12 October 2019, Revised: 27 October 2019, Accepted: 11 November 2019
Published Online: 29 November 2019
In-Text Citation: (Selvaraj, & Aziz, 2019)

To Cite this Article: Selvaraj, M., & Aziz, A. A. (2019). Systematic Review: Approaches in Teaching Writing Skill in
ESL Classrooms. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 8(4),
450–473.
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450
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Systematic Review: Approaches in Teaching

Writing Skill in ESL Classrooms
Melanie Selvaraj & Azlina Abdul Aziz
Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Abstract
This paper presents an analysis of a systematic review based on the past studies published on
writing approaches employed in ESL classrooms. The studies reviewed are from the year 2000 to
2019 with the total number of eighteen studies. The key aims of this systematic review is to show
an empirical information formulation discovered through multiple methods in past scholarly
research on writing in ESL classrooms. In this systematic study, there are two study questions to
be addressed: i) What teaching methods should ESL students use to enhance writing abilities for
learners? ii) How should the defined writing strategy be scheduled so that it can be efficiently
applied in the ESL schools? The findings of the reviews showed that process, genre, process
genre, process product and product-based approaches are employed in ESL classrooms. Process
approach was mostly employed in ESL teaching of writing in secondary and tertiary level. Results
also indicated that scaffolding cooperative learning and teacher and peer feedback help to
improve ESL students’ writing.
Keywords: Writing Approaches, Writing, ESL Classrooms, Process Approach, Teaching Writing
Theories
Introduction
English is a language widely spoken around the globe. About 1,121 billion people regardless of
natives or non-natives speak English (World Population Review 2019). It is a language that bridge
people in different sectors. English is language of business, education and communication, and
even seen as an official language and used in documenting. Second language learning differs from
first language acquisition. To meet these requirements there were various theories and
hypotheses found and experimented to facilitate educators to impart the knowledge of second
language. In addition, various researches di multiple disciplines, such as linguistics,
psycholinguistics, psychology and education were carried out to enable students to learn second
language. Listening, talking, reading and writing are the primary four language abilities taught to
these learners. “Writing is the most challenging skills to be learnt and to be taught in ESL
classroom” (Jusun and Md Yunus 2018, p.470). Writing skills is a vital skill that to be mastered by
all the students in ESL classrooms as it has its various purposes. It goes beyond the school scope.
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The Importance of Writing

Mastering writing skills is important due to its need in almost all the professions which need
documentation, especially in this era. It is necessary to enter any modern workplace with good
writing skills. According to Zhu (2004), business world requires and expect potential employers
with good writing skills and they are seen as the clients of corporate world. Therefore, it is vital
to equip oneself with good writing skills to get appointed and to disclosed to more job
opportunities. In other words, employee with good writing skills are seen as “hot commodities”
Other than that, it is one of the most serious skill to the acquired in tertiary education. Academic
writing in tertiary is not just words but meaningful communication. Zhu (2004) added that
academic writing includes understanding of distinctive procedures of ideas and interaction which
needs basic or general writing abilities as a foundation. Besides that, writing promotes creativity,
imagination, and understanding. Writing is a thinking process which involves brain process, in
order to organise ideas to write, writers need to imagine and be creative in putting their thoughts
in words. Therefore, it is compulsory to incorporate teaching of writing skills in primary schools
as it is an important skill in communication in this globalised world (Hyland, 2015). Due to its
importance, many countries have made English to be learnt in school as a second language
including Malaysia. In Malaysia, students learn English in all level of education starting from
preschool to varsity level. In second language learning, learners are identified as second language
learners or ESL learners. There are various methods and strategies used to suit the ESL learners
to master the writing skills.
Writing Issues among ESL Writers

Writing is not easy as it “stimulates thinking, compels students to concentrate and organized
their ideas, and cultivates their ability to summarize, analyse, and criticize” (Maghsoudi and
Haririan 2013, p.60). Bases on previous literature, the biggest challenge is lack of proficiency in
English language among ESL students in order to complete writing task assigned. Thus, students
need vocabulary, grammar, and ability to structure good sentences is a requirement to compose
a writing. Besides that, students feel lost and tough to compose in English since writing requires
to use many cognitive and linguistic approaches that students are unsure about. Generating and
organizing the ideas is seen as major problem for students who has some linguistic competency
in English. They struggle to produce a good writing pieces due to lack of knowledge in generating
and organizing ideas and to present their writing with good coherence. Another common issue
in writing among ESL students is students are “lack of certain skill such as proper use of grammar,
conventions, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling” (Ghabool et al. 2012, p.130; Ramasamy &
Abdul Aziz, 2018, p.2266). Furthermore, according to Normazidah, Lie and Hazita (2012, p.41) “all
ESL students face more complicated problems, which may be either cultural or linguistic ones”.
In line with this, students lose their interest in writing and gradually demotivates the students to
write. In contrary, some studies say lack of teachers’ pedagogical knowledge in writing and failure
of choosing the right strategy to teach writing is another contributing factor for producing
incompetent writers among ESL students (Md Yunus and Chan, 2016). These reasons make
teaching and learning writing daunting for ESL educators.
Regardless of all the problems, writing skills in Malaysia is prioritised in the education system
besides the verbal communication skills. As formulated in Malaysian education Blueprint (2013-
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2025), students need to be proficient in both Bahasa Malaysia and English covering all the
language aspects. Yet, after four years of implementing the blueprint, report shows, there is a
“decrease in the percentage of passing for SPM English paper, from 79.4 per cent in 2016 to
79.1 per cent in 2017” and for English Writing paper in UPSR examination, the percentage of
passing dropped from 77.0 per cent in 2016 to 73.6 per cent in 2017” (Aziz, 2018 para. 15).
Teachers, researches do employ many strategies to teaching writing skills to ESL learns, yet the
results are frustrating. One important area needed to be reviewed are the approaches employed
by teachers in teaching writing. To see the efficacy of these approaches in developing students
writing skills in ESL classrooms, an analysis of approaches used in ESL classrooms is required. The
main goal of this systematic review is to demonstrate a formulation of empirical data found via
various approaches in previous academic studies on the teaching of writing in ESL classrooms.
This is to create opportunity to researchers and teachers to formulate interventions and identify
the suitable approaches to cater the students’ needs and conduct researches in depth in this
area.
Literature Review
Theories of Teaching Writing
Teaching and learning writing in ESL classrooms are demanding. Researchers develop various
theories to assist the learners and teachers because in ESL students have to cope with language
proficiency and the process of writing. Theories are crucial for the teachers to know and
understand the theories in teaching writing because it will allow the teachers “to implement
research-based practices better” (Wright et al. 2015, para 4). Hodges (2017) pointed out four
focal theories in teaching writing.
a) Cognitive Process theory of Writing

Writing is a thinking process. To write, a writer needs to use the mental process such as
brainstorming, planning and organizing and it needs creativity. Therefore, cognitive wring
process aims to teach students to use mental processing in producing a piece of writing.
It is a popular than other writing theories as it has many benefits. This theory was
introduced by Flower and Hayes (1981, p.366) “through observations of students’ writing
and made effort to “introduce theory of cognitive processes involved in composing and
to lay groundwork for more detailed study of thinking processes in writing”. The four
elements highlighted by Flower and Hayes in this theory are “Writers have to go through
a process of thinking before writing, a higher-order organizational structure takes place
during these procedures, composing involves setting objectives, and authors generate
macro and micro objectives to finish the writing task (Flower & Hayes 1981, p.366). In
short it focuses exclusively on the mental writing process.
b) Sociocultural theory of Writing

Sociocultural theory of writing was coined by Vygotsky which giving importance to
motivation, affect, and social influences as components of writing (Hodges 2017). In other
words, it explains human learning as a social process and how human intelligence
originates in society or culture. Another key point in this theory is socialising or interaction
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is crucial in developing the mental action or process to acquire knowledge. Vygotsky

introduced Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) which explains that students need help
and socializing to develop themselves (Vygotsky 1978). Therefore in a ESL writing
classrooms, students need collaboration with peers and scaffolding from the teachers as
well as peers.
c) Social cognitive theory and self-efficacy in writing

Social cognitive theory in writing refers to how cognitive, behavioural, personal, and
environmental factors interact to determine motivation and behaviour (Bandura 1993).
This theory emphasizes in 3 main elements which are observational learning, imitation
and modelling. On the other hand, self-efficacy refers to writer’s belief in accomplishing
a writing task given and able to accept any challenges. This theory explains that, students
always developed their perception by looking at past production. Thus, they will choose
a task where they have high self-efficacy and evade task with low efficacy. (Bandura
2001). Four goal generalization keys pointed out are self-observation, self-evaluation,
self-reaction and self-efficacy. Therefore, in a writing classroom students’ cognitive ability
and self-belief that is to meet challenges assists in writing instructions
d) Ecological Theory
Ecological theory was proposed by Cooper (1986, p.368) described it as “an ecology of
writing encompasses much more than the individual writer and her immediate context.
The students in the writing class interact with one another to create systems that means
all the students or the product of writing both regulate and they are regulated by other
students’ writing in their own environment. One of the significant characteristics of this
theory is all the characteristics of any individual writer or piece of writing both determine
and are determined by the characteristics of all the other writers and writings in the
systems. An important characteristic of ecological systems is that they are fundamentally
flexible. Although the structures and contents may be defined at a particular time, they
are continually evolving in actual time. The limitation of this theory is that it changes
over longer periods of time.
Definitions of Teaching Approaches

Students in ESL classrooms come from various background and proficiency level due to many
factors, one of it is exposure to target language. It may vary based on their location, urban or
rural, family background or and in certain situations, students have mother tongue and first
language before acquiring the third language. It is vital for ESL teachers to design a very
systematic and scrupulous plan for each lesson conducted to engage students then achieve
successful learning. Hence, besides methods and techniques, approaches matched to their needs
of the students is essential. “Approaches represents and interaction between the learner and the
situation of learning with strategies serving as negotiation link leading to as task outcome”
(Lavelle and Zuercher 2001, p.375).Meanwhile (Richard and Rodgers 1986, p.204) defined
“approach as a set of correlative assumptions dealing with the nature of language teaching and
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learning which is the subject matter need to be taught”. In other words, it is a set of ideologies,
principles or thoughts about the nature of learning which is decoded in the classroom setting.
Definition of Writing Approaches

Teaching writing needs various approaches blended with strategies. Writing approach “describe
the relationship between the beliefs that writers have about writing and the patterns of writing
strategies that they employ”. (Lavelle and Bushrow 2007, p.808). The concept of approach
therefore reflects an extensive view reflecting on the connection of beliefs regarding writing to
methods used by authors, which in turn affects the performance of writing results. In short,
writing approaches are the ideas, rules and ethics related to writing process which applied in the
classrooms particularly in the teaching writing.
Importance of Writing Approaches

Writing approaches are essential in every writing lesson. ESL teachers should determine the
approach need to be applied in one particular lesson for a few reasons. Identifying the correct
approach in a writing classroom is crucial to see an effective outcome. Choosing a non-ideal
approach will simply make the lessons daunting to the ESL learners and cause disappointment to
the teachers after so much of handwork put in the planning and teaching. In other words, it will
demotivate the teachers as well as the students. Next, adapting an appropriate approach in the
classroom is important depending on the goal set by the teacher. For instance, beginners with
very limited proficiency should be exposed to product-based approach as they need model or
examples to begin their writing journey. Without an approach, the writing classroom will move
in multiple directions thus the goal set for the particular lesson will not be achievable. Hence,
writing approaches are important to meet the goals of the writing (Scott 1996). Furthermore,
implying different types of approaches, enables students exposed to various types of methods.
This will give opportunity to students to identify and use the correct approach in future writing
based on their writing purpose. Students who are aware of the approaches produce a quality
piece of writing.
Approaches to Teaching Writing in ESL Classrooms

Writing approaches to first language users differs from the second language learners. Researches
had formulated many theories and approaches to cater to ESL learners writing needs. These
writing approaches has gone through a lot of changes over the years to enable the second
language learners to become a good writer. (Fujida 2006). A few approaches identified by
practitioners for ESL learners they are such as product, process, genre approach and process
genre approach. (Md.Kamrul Hasan & Mohd Moniruzzaman 2014).
Product based Approaches

Product based approach denotes a writing process which aims to see the end product. Regularly,
students imitate a model text to produce one. In other words, students mimic a model
composition provided by the teachers. For instance, in the writing classrooms, teachers provide
examples or model composition for the students and based on the models, students produce a
similar composition. Steel (2004) reported, in order to apply this approach in the ESL writing
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classroom there are four steps to adhere;1) students need to read the model composition and
take note on the distinctive features of a composition which are organization of ideas, the use of
language and mechanics of writing. 2) students perform controlled practices to exercise the
elements outlined in the model text.3) Students attempt to mimic the model essay by organizing
a collection of pre-set thoughts to suit the model. 4) Students perform the task by using their
skills, sentence structures and various level of vocabulary in order to compose the anticipated
composition. Some of the advantages of this approach are students start learning how to use
particular pattern-product methods in writing composition systematically, especially in writing
narrative descriptive and persuasive essays. In addition, students learn to correct vocabulary and
various sentence patterns for these text types and improve students’ grammatical awareness
(Tangpermpoon 2008). Product based approach lost its popularity as it has no concern over the
process of the writing but the grammar structure and syntax. It demotivates the students when
accuracy in mimicking is focused rather than students’ creativity
Process based Approach

On the other hand, process-based approach gives great importance to the process of getting the
end product. There are four processes involved in the writing process; planning, drafting, revising
and editing. Kroll (2001, p.221) “explains drafting and receiving feedback on their drafts, be it
from peers and/or from the teacher, followed by revision of their evolving texts is one of the
crucial steps in the process-based approach”. Adopting this approach enable writers to move
back and forth to improve their writing. It also promotes creativity when the writers create their
own composition. Thus, it is seen as a dynamic approach as recursive process takes place. Process
approach is popular due to its benefits. Students can enhance their writing abilities in the
classroom as scaffolding occurs. Other than that, feedback is given by teachers and peer, so it
gives opportunity for students to become a better writer. According to Maarof et al. (2011, p.30)
“teacher feedback is regarded as a main requirement for improvement in students’ essay
writing”. In addition, it stresses on thinking process, this will promote creativity. Despite all the
advantages, process-based approach has it disadvantages, it consumes a lot of time, focuses on
the process instead of structures and grammar.
Genre based Approach

In contrast, genre approach looks “writing as pre-dominantly linguistic but, emphasize that
writing varies with the social context in which it is produced producing texts based on social
context” (Badger and White 2000, p.155). Genre based approach give importance to various
types of writing and text types and intertwined with social needs. It has some advantages as such
as students learns variety of sentence structures for different text types. “The objective of this
approach is knowledge and certain genre and the communicative reason which will enable
writers communicate with the community” (Tangpermpoon 2008, p.6). There are some
advantages of this approach are it exposes students to different types of text types or genre.
“Learners should be exposed to many examples of the same genre to develop their ability to
write a particular genre” (Elashri 2013, p.7). In addition, genre-based approach “concerned with
teaching learners how to use language patterns to accomplish coherent, purposeful prose
writing” as every writing has its purposes to the readers (Tuan 2011, p.123). Other than that,
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genre approach is suitable for beginners as model text is given to assist learning, this will reduce
the anxiety among the learners. Above all, it scaffolds writing. Some limitations of this approach
are students lack in knowledge of language structure and grammar to reach the target audience
and learners basically focus on the product rather than the process and it underestimates the
student’s ability.
Process Genre-based Approach

Consequently, process genre-based approach is a combination of all the three above, it focuses
on the process of writing, taking account knowledge of social context and purposes of text in
genre writing and observes features of texts as in product-based approach. (Rhalmi 2018).
Currently, process writing is given much emphasizes in ESL classrooms. It helps students to
produce and kinds of writing by employing the four steps. Besides employing these approaches,
teachers also employ different types of strategies to make the teaching and learning writing in
second language classroom in fruitful. Some of the popular strategies “include modelling, shared
writing, guided writing, and interactive writing”. (Lan et al. 2011, p.148). This approach has its
plus points, that is, it is more suitable to students in secondary schools. Its limitations are, it needs
careful and tedious planning, it consumes a lot of time in planning and teaching.
Process Product Approach

Process product approach combines product approach and process approach. Employing this
approach is to develop students writing skills by mastering product approach prior to process
approach. Students need to master writing mechanics and get familiar with sample texts or
model essays at this stage and proceed with process writing, which is developing writing
employing all the stages in process writing stages namely, prewriting, drafting, revising, editing
and publishing to compose a own generated story. This approach's main disadvantages are linked
to its complexity and the time and cost engaged in achieving it. (Carta 1987).
Past Studies
There are a number of studies that discuss the best approach for second language teachers to
adopt, particularly in ESL classrooms. Nordin 2017 in his study on tertiary students reported that
there is no one particular approach fits the ESL students in fact process and genre approach
complements each other in teaching the writing skills.
In another study, Watson (1982) has reported that, models or product-based approach is widely
opted in ESL classroom. Yet, he believes that, product-based approach alone does not help
students in writing but this product based approached should be integrated with process-based
approach to produce a good writer.
A study done by Hassan and Akhand (2010) in analyzing the impact on learners ' quality of the
product and process approach to learning reported that the tertiary students performed better
in writing by combining product and process approach. The blending approach developed their
writing skills.
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Most of the studies examines the two main popular approaches in teaching writing namely
product-based approach and process-based approach. However, there are other relevant
approaches such as genre-based approaches, combination genre process and product process
approaches which contributes to improve ESL students writing skills. Thus, only a little known in
outcomes of blended approaches in teaching writing.
Methodology
The method adopted conduct the systematic review is based on five steps proposed by Khan et
al. (2003, p.118). According to them, the five steps are “framing questions for a review,
identifying relevant studies, assessing the quality of studies, summarizing the evidence and
interpreting the findings”. The first stage of the procedure is framing research questions for the
review. Therefore, problems should be identified carefully and clear. The questions should be
well structured to avoid any ambiguity. A good research questions will lead to a good research
process. Once the questions are identified, other changes such as identifying the population and
research designs are identifies. In this case, ESL learners in all levels, from primary to tertiary
education level are chosen. The next step is identifying relevant studies, where studies related to
the objectives set, we searched. I decided the use the online materials from well-known
databases, such as JSTOR, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Springer e-Journals and Educational
Resources Information Centre or better known as ERIC, SAGE, Scientific Research Publishing and
Scopus were downloaded and read extensively prior to analyzing them. Boolean Operators was
used to connect and define the search terms relationship based on the objectives set. The third
step is assessing the quality of the studies where a step by step review was done. I have rechecked
the research questions and the objectives are relevant to each other and to the journals and the
articles chosen. The fourth step is summarizing the evidence collected and tabulated using
statistical method to interpret the data and supported with graphics for better comprehension
use. Finally, the study was summarized with recommendations.
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Findings and Discussion

Total of 15 studies based on the writing approaches from the year 2000 to 2019 were chosen for
the systematic review and the findings as
Study No of Research Types of Approac Total Results

Participan Design interventio h interve
ts n adopted ntion
duratio
n
1 Purnawar 17 Qualitative Blended Genre 1  Genre
man, eleventh Case study learning month based
Susilawati grade using approached
& students Edmodo in can be
Sundayan from writing taught
a senior using
(2015) high Edmodo
school  Edmodo
facilitates
the
students’
engagemen
t in the
teaching
cognitively
through
Note menu.
2 Karimah, 8th grade Action the learners Genre 3  Blended
Setyona & students Research showed meetin learning
Sukmaant (purposive different gs of 80 using
ara sampling reactions minute Edmodo in
(2017) method) based on s writing,
120 the Uses students
students and showed
Gratificatio independen
n Theory ce in writing
(UGT) a personal
framework recount text
to the use
of Edmodo.
3 Gutiérrez, 20 Action Using Process 16  The
Puello & participan research pictures based weeks experimenta
Galvis ts from experiment series to approac l group
(2015) al enhance h,produc which
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ninth narrative t-based employ

grade writing approac process-
h based
approach
performed
better
4 Jones 18 college Qualitative Use of Process  • Blogging
(2006) students Case study Weblogs as based has been
5 males 13 a approac shown to be
female pedagogical h an efficient
tool for the writing
writing instrument
process  Process
Approach based
approach
facilitated
and
students
were aware
for writing;
 students
motivated
to writing
5 Wei 19 Exploratory use of Genre Two  improved
(2016) students case study genre- approac months their ability
from the based h to
first year writing demonstrat
Bachelor instruction e all the
of to acquire rhetorical
Teaching the genre and
(TESL) conventions linguistic
degree of writing a conventions
programm literary of a literary
e criticism criticism.
6 Yomana 55 action •Use hi-five Product three  there is an

Christina Secondary research Fingers and and months improveme
Jothi Four Snack Bars Process- . nt in
Shamini & pupils in their based pupils’
Md Yunus writing grades in
(2019) through their
social writing
media performanc
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(Powtoon & e after Use

Facebook). hi-five
fingers and
snack bars
through
social media
7 Barrot 171 first Self-report Influence of Process 14  The e-
(2016) year method the genre weeks portfolio
university Facebook e- approac based on
students portfolio on h Facebook
writing had a
methods of beneficial
ESL effect on
students the writing
practices of
learners.
 Students
saw
Facebook
as a
feasible
instrument
for
evaluating
the e-
portfolio.
8 Faraj thirty Experiment Scaffolding Process -  Test
(2015) second- al writing approac showed
year Research process h improveme
college One group nt in control
students (pre post group result
test)
9 Alshahrani Experiment Use of an e- Process  e-portfolio
& 46particip research portfolio approac software,
Windeatt ants in ESL design structure to h facilitates
(2019) English (Control enhance writing.
Centre. group and academic  • Frequent
experiment writing peer and
al group) efficiency of teacher
ESL written
students feedback
promote
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learners to
write.
 A
substantial
improveme
nt in the
teaching
and reading
performanc
e of ESL
students
was
discovered
10 Sapkota ten Action Developing Process Four  An increase in
(2012) students research students approac weeks students’ level
from a B. process h of proficiency
Ed pre-test, writing skills in the use of
College. progressive through grammatical
test and peer and units and in
post-tests teacher using
correction mechanics of
writing
 Effective use
of peer
correction
followed by
teacher
correction.
11 Pratama 7th grade action Mind Process Two  Mind
(2015) research mapping approac cycles mapping
with technique h with skills are
qualitative to improve two improved
approach writing skills meetin separately or
gs each classically
12 Handayani 37 action Application Process Two  Process
& Siregar students research of the genre cycles Genre
(2013) Of senior with process approac on 10 Approach
high qualitative genre h meetin teaching
school approach strategy in gs writing
descriptive increases
text the writing
learning competency
of learners
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Development
 Improved
the
motivation
of learners
to learn
writing
 Developed
the ability
of learners
to express
their
thoughts
more in
order to
support the
job of
writing
13 Ahn L2 primary Action Implementi Genre 10-  The active
(2012) school research ng a genre based weeks scaffolding
students. strategy to (two processes of
(Year 5 developing lessons teachers at
and 6) main school per the early
students ' week) stage of the
writing skills cycle
through benefited
scaffolding students by
in grades 5 making them
and 6 L2 aware of the
different
ways in which
texts are
organized for
different
purposes of
communicati
on.
 Increased
confidence
among
students and
prompted a
favourable
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Development
attitude to
writing
14 Pasand twelve quasi- Scaffolding Process- two-  Completing
& Haghi intermedi experiment thorough Product session the model
(2013) ate EFL al design model Approac writing text in the
learners, essays h class writing of
between process
13 to 15 products has
years old a beneficial
impact on
certain
elements of
their
precision in
writing
mechanics,
syntax and
coherence
 students’
writing
accuracy
increased
through
model text
15 Mehr 60 Iranian quasi- Instructions process 12  Process
(2016) learners experiment based on and session approach
42 al research product and product s that has a
females process huge impact
and 18 approach on the
males writing
performance
of EFL
students
 Positive
impact of the
process
approach on
the writing
skills
behaviour of
EFL students
improved

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Development
16 Xu &Li 110 PhD action Employ process- eight  Teaching

(2018) candidates research ‘reading-to- genre weeks scholarly
writing’ approac with 48 writing
tasks h hours abilities
(peer- of explicitly
feedback interact through a
and ion process-
revisions) genre
improves
 Transforming
EFL learners
into a broad
spectrum of
scholarly
writing
strategies
while
supporting
abilities
learning in an
EFL
framework in
China.
17 Belmekki, 28 Action Cooperating process- 2  significant
A. & managem research formative genre months effect of
Sekkal, F. ent feedback approac process-
(2018). students into genre- h genre
based approach on
instruction the students’
writing
achievement,
covering four
writing
components:
organization,
vocabulary,
grammar,
and
mechanics.
18 Rahmat 30 action Jigsaw Product 3  students are
2017 diploma in research writing approac stages also able to
business h improve on
studies their content
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Development
students skills, as well

18 as
females communicati
and 12 ve strategies
males as a result of
the
interaction
 participants
enjoyed the
jigsaw
activity and
found that
the
cooperative
learning
helped save
time
 jigsaw writing
activities
allowed them
to share
ideas
Table 1 : Summary of past related studies in employing writing approaches in ESL context
In total of 18 past related studies were identified using 5 different approaches highlighted. The
studies are from different level of ESL classrooms, tertiary to primary school level. Four studies
employed genre-based approach in the researches. The finding of their studies showed a
significant improvement in employing this approach. Purnawarman, Susilawati and Sundayana
(2015) employing Edmodo writing instructions in a blended learning environment in a senior high
school, noticed Edmodo facilitates the students’ engagement in the teaching cognitively through
Note menu. Meanwhile Karimah, Setyona and Sukmaantara (2017), in their study over 8th grade
students, employing genre-based approach in teaching writing found that the learners showed
different reactions when the framework on the Uses and Gratification Theory (UGT) employed in
the use of Edmodo. In addition, using Edmodo in writing, students showed independence in
writing a personal recount text.
In another case study, Wei (2016) over 19 students from the first year Bachelor of Teaching (TESL)
degree programme where the use of genre-based writing instruction to acquire the genre
conventions of writing a literary criticism improved their ability to demonstrate all the rhetorical
and linguistic conventions of a literary criticism. Ahn (2012) on his study conducted in on
elementary school students. Teaching writing using genre approach in order to develop writing
ability of Year 5 and 6 L2 elementary students through scaffolding found the active scaffolding
processes of teachers at the early stage of the cycle benefited students by making them aware
of the different ways in which texts are organized for different purposes of communication.
Moreover, this strategy has resulted on increment of self confidence among the participants.
466
Development
Another five studies analysed are studies which employed process-based approach writing. Jones
(2006) in his case study on 18 college students in Using Weblogs as a teaching instrument for
writing demonstrated that blogging is an efficient instrument for writing. In addition, process-
based approach facilitated and the students were aware the purpose for writing. The finding also
indicated that students were motivated to write. In a similar process-based approach in writing
research, Faraj (2015), on her research on thirty second-year college students which employed
experimental research in scaffolding writing process showed improvement in control group
result in her post results. Meanwhile Alshahrani and Windeatt (2019) performed an experimental
research in use of an e-portfolio structure to enhance academic writing efficiency of ESL students.
The results showed e-portfolio software, facilitates writing. In addition, frequent peer and
teacher written feedback promote learners to write. Other than that, a substantial improvement
in the teaching and reading performance of ESL students were also discovered.
In another study by Sapkota (2012), involving ten college students to developing students process
writing skills through peer and teacher correction noticed, an increase in student skills in the use
of grammar units and the use of writing mechanics in four weeks. The use of peer correction
accompanied by teacher correction was discovered to be efficient in writing processes for
learners. The fifth study was done by Pratama (2015), towards 7th grade students. A qualitative
approach was employed in using Mind mapping technique to improve writing skills. The findings
showed that writing skill with Mind mapping skills improved separately or classically.
In employing process genre approach in the research, there were four researches identified.
Barrot (2016) in his research on 171 students in the first year of the university a self-report
method on Influence of the Facebook e-portfolio on writing methods of ESL students using
process genre approach reported his finding which showed The e-portfolio based on Facebook
had a beneficial effect on the writing practices of learners students saw Facebook as a feasible
instrument for evaluating the e-portfolio. Meanwhile, Belmekki and Sekkal, (2018), did a study
on 28 management students in cooperating formative feedback into process genre-based
instruction noticed a significant effect of process-genre approach on the students’ writing
achievement, covering four writing components: organization, vocabulary, grammar, and
mechanics in 2 months. Xu and Li (2018) in his research in employing ‘reading-to-writing’ tasks
(peer-feedback and revisions) towards PhD candidates found that in eight weeks with 48 hours
of interaction the teaching scholarly writing abilities explicitly through a process-genre improves.
In addition, the result is seen to transform EFL learners into a broad spectrum of scholarly writing
strategies while supporting abilities learning in an EFL framework in China. Handayani and Siregar
(2013), found that 37 students of senior high school teaching writing using Process Genre
Approach teaching writing increases the writing competency of learners. In addition, improved
the motivation of learners to learn writing and developed the ability of learners to express their
thoughts more in order to support the job of writing it improved students’ motivation in learning
writing and developed students’ skill to communicate their ideas more to support the purpose of
writing task.
Another writing approach which popularly employed in ESL writing is, process product approach.
Mehr (2016), in his research towards 60 Iranian learners employed a quasi-experimental research
to measure the effectiveness of process – product approach instructions based in EFL classroom
467
Development
found that Process approach that has a huge impact on the writing performance of the students.
In another study in scaffolding ESL writing thorough model essays, Pasand and Haghi (2013)
reported that twelve intermediate EFL learners, between 13 to 15 years old, process-product
Writing has a favourable impact on certain elements of their writing precision, such as
punctuation, capitalization, spelling, subject-verb agreement, tension, the use of connectors, the
use of right pronouns and possessives and the use of model text.
In an action research conducted by Yomana Christina Jothi Shamini and Melor (2019)reported 55
participants of Secondary Four pupils in employing process product in using the hi-five Fingers
and Snack Bars via social media (Powtoon and Facebook) in their writing in three months, there
was an improvement of the writing achievement of students after using hi-five fingers and snack
bars through social media. In an experimental study by Gutiérrez, Puello and Galvis (2015) 20
participants from ninth grader reported the experimental group which employ process-based
approach performed better using pictures series to enhance narrative writing.
Product based approach is not very popular and only one study could be identified in the range
from year 2000 to 2019.The study was carried out by Noor Hanim (2017) to 30 Diploma in
business studies students. The study is in employing product-based approach in Jigsaw writing in
writing business letter. The jigsaw writing enables students to write short sentences in a group
as jigsaw writing a cooperative learning strategy. The researcher stated students improved on
their content skills, as well as communicative strategies as a result of the interaction and
participants enjoyed the jigsaw activity and found that the cooperative learning helped save time.
In addition, the jigsaw writing activities allowed them to share ideas.
Conclusion
A total of 18 studies were identified in this systematic review analysis in identifying writing
approaches employed in the period of 19 years. The studies are based on all the levels, from
primary to tertiary level in ESL context instructions. There are four studies for the category of
genre based, process genre based and process product based. There are 5 studies on process-
based approach and one study from product-based approach. All the approaches employed in
the researches has its advantages and disadvantages yet a good and proper selection of
approaches based in the students need is vital to make the students writing successful.
Moreover, enough time should be given to students to get used to a certain approach. In
addition, scaffolding is crucial in assisting the students in each and every step of learning to write.
One way to scaffold students is by giving feedback. Teachers need to give feedback to students’
writing so that that they learn from mistakes.
Scaffolding is important to retain the students’ interest in the classroom, anxiety in writing arise
when students fail to compose. Hence, students’ interest towards writing will dampen and
gradually they lose interest in writing. Thus, scaffolding will lower their anxiety in writing.
Feedback from peer is important as students will be more comfortable when corrected by peer.
Other strategies, such as employing ICT and Web 2.0 application will engage students better.
Hence, knowing students, selecting appropriate writing approaches, and scaffolding in ESL
classroom is vital to make students improve in their writing. The limitation of this systematic
review is, the approaches are only based on popular approaches in ESL writing classroom. There
are other approaches such as free writing, paragraph pattern approaches, grammar syntax
468
Development
organization approaches and communicative approach. Next, this study did not incorporate
other data from systematic reviews, it is solely on single researches. For future systematic review
others researchers may include, other approaches and also analyze other systematic reviews on
writing approaches.
What Approach should ESL Teachers Employ in their Teaching of Writing

The outcomes from the above finding it can be concluded that, ESL teachers are is best to employ
Process based approach, especially in teaching of secondary level and tertiary level education.
Undoubtedly true, adult students are more independent and they possess sufficient knowledge
in content and their language mastery is greater than the younger ESL learner as they are novice
writers. Due, to these advantages possessed by adult learners, it will be undemanding for these
learners to employ the writing process systematically. Finding supports these ideas, as most of
the studies selected process-based approach studies which are done towards university
participants. Thus, to scaffold the teaching of writing in higher education level, process writing
will be the best approach. Meanwhile, in secondary and primary school level, process-product
approach and process-genre approach will be suitable to be employed in the ESL classrooms, as
scaffolding is given importance when selecting these approaches. Younger students need
scaffolding in order to produce a good writing. To low achievers in ESL classrooms, product
process based is best. Students learns writing process based on the model text and may produce
a similar text by employing techniques in process writing as drafting, revising, editing and
publishing. Other than that, when employing product process approach, low achievers and
elementary students can improve their writing mechanics which is an important element in any
writing. On the hand, genre-based writing is also popular at tertiary level due to different genre
of writing is a requirement in tertiary level. For instance, in documentation, reporting and letter
writing. Hence, to improve students writing skills in tertiary level, genre-based writing would be
good choice. Last but not least, even though product-based approach is not widely employed in
this period (2000-2019), it is still relevant in teaching weak students at primary school level.
How Writing Instructions should be Planned in ESL Classroom

I) Knowing the Students.
It is important for the teachers in ESL classrooms to know their students’ level well before
selecting the best writing approach in the classroom. Students with average proficiency level may
employ process or process genre and process product approach. With some scaffolding and
teacher’s and peer review, writing can be improved. Meanwhile, very weak students as
mentioned before may employ product-based approach so that students imitate the model and
familiarize with the model and produce almost similar text with some scaffoldings. The studies
above show the selection of approaches was accurate hence a positive outcome is seen.
Ii) Knowing the Methodology
Employing an approach correctly is crucial in teaching writing to ESL students is vital to see an
improvement and better result in writing. This can be viewed in the above studies when
researchers, clearly described the methods in each research. Without a proper planning, the
objectives cannot be achieved. As ESL teachers, it is essential to be familiar with each approach
to teaching writing before deciding which to choose to teach writing to their students. Hence,
469
Development
planning the lesson with suitable approach, material selection based on the students need is
crucial in order to achieve successful.
iii) Scaffolding
In most of the researches, scaffolding has its important role in motivation students to write.
Teachers should incorporate scaffolding in the writing lessons to help the students regardless of
their level of proficiency. Scaffolding during the lesson or by giving feedback during the writing
process is vital. Peer reviews are also important to scaffold in writing classroom.
Recommendations
1. Teachers should combine the teaching writing approaches to scaffold students writing as
every approach has its shortcomings.
2. A further research should be done in other approaches in teaching writing so that teachers in
ESL classrooms have wider options to utilize in the ESL writing classrooms.
3. In the further researches done should be focused more on young or novice writers as
teaching writing using various approaches will produce a better writer from young age.
In a nutshell, teacher play a crucial role in teaching writing skills. Besides having a content
knowledge, employing the right pedagogical approaches in teaching writing is necessary based
on the needs and levels of their students.
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International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and

Systematic Review: Approaches in Teaching Writing Skill in

Received: 12 October 2019, Revised: 27 October 2019, Accepted: 11 November 2019

Published Online: 29 November 2019

In-Text Citation: (Selvaraj, & Aziz, 2019)

Copyright: © 2019 The Author(s)

Vol. 8(4) 2019, Pg. 450 - 473

Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at

Systematic Review: Approaches in Teaching

The Importance of Writing

Writing Issues among ESL Writers

a) Cognitive Process theory of Writing

b) Sociocultural theory of Writing

is crucial in developing the mental action or process to acquire knowledge. Vygotsky

c) Social cognitive theory and self-efficacy in writing

Definitions of Teaching Approaches

Definition of Writing Approaches

Importance of Writing Approaches

Approaches to Teaching Writing in ESL Classrooms

Product based Approaches

Process based Approach

Genre based Approach

Process Genre-based Approach

Process Product Approach

Findings and Discussion

Study No of Research Types of Approac Total Results

ninth narrative t-based employ

6 Yomana 55 action •Use hi-five Product three  there is an

(Powtoon & e after Use

16 Xu &Li 110 PhD action Employ process- eight  Teaching

students skills, as well

What Approach should ESL Teachers Employ in their Teaching of Writing

How Writing Instructions should be Planned in ESL Classroom

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