Written Corrective Feedback on the Use of Conjunctions among Malaysian ESL Learners

Abstract

: This mixed - methods study explored the influence of metalinguistic corrective feedback on thirty Malaysian ESL learners’ appropriate and inappropriate use of conjunctions in their writing practice. Data were derived from three sources: students’ essays, questionnaires and semi - structured interviews. The categories of conjunctions explored in this study were additive conjunctions, causal conjunctions, temporal conjunctions, and adversative conjunctions. The percentages of appropriate and inappropriate use of conjunctions were tabulated based on three writing assignments (expository essay, cause and effect essay, and problem - solution essay). The results showed a positive influence of metalinguistic corrective feedback on the ESL learners’ use of conjunctions. The findings from the survey questionnaire revealed positive perceptions in three main aspects: the helpfulness and preferences of coded metalinguistic corrective feedback and their feelings receiving the feedback. Additionally, the efficacy of metalinguistic corrective feedback was explored in the questionnaire and interviews with the feedback perceived as a mediator tool, a trigger for noticing, a correction aid for conjunctions use in writing and as a tool to promote independent learning.