The effects of planning and task on Chinese high school students’ English language performance

Abstract

Planning is the core of writing process and the key to successful English writing. This study examines the effects of planning type on language complexity, accuracy and fluency in two different English writing tasks (practical writing and integral writing) of Chinese high school students. The results show that online planning promotes students’ language complexity and accuracy, while pre-task planning improves fluency. Planning and task types have an interactive effect in writing accuracy. This study promotes an understanding of planning mechanisms in high school students’ English writing and has implications for high school English instruction.