Online Video Exchanges in an English as a Foreign Language Writing Course

Abstract

Writing has been argued to be the most difficult and complex language skill because it comprises multiple aspects, such as lexical and syntactic knowledge, etc. [1], not even to mention writing in a foreign language. The difficulties lead to the pursuit of an effective teaching approach for better acquisition. Task-based language teaching (TBLT), enabling students to practice target language in authentic and meaningful tasks [2], has been applied in writing instruction. In current digital era, integration of technology and TBLT in EFL contexts remains under-researched. This study explores the effects of TBLT with online video exchanges in an English as a foreign language (EFL) writing course on students’ descriptive writing performance. A quasi-experiment was conducted. Students of two writing courses were recruited and randomly assigned as experimental group and control group. The participants in the experimental group were engaged in the writing project to transform their descriptive writing assignments introducing local tourist attractions to videos and exchange them online with foreign virtual peers. A mixed research approach was adopted to analyze the data collected from participants’ compositions and self-reflection. The results revealed that TBLT is effective in developing EFL students’ descriptive writing proficiency. In addition to their writing achievement, the students enjoyed participating in the task while utilizing other multiple skills. Implications of this study for TBLT in EFL writing teaching practices are discussed as well.