Analyzing Descriptive Writing among Chinese Undergraduates According to Gender

Abstract

The aim of the study is to assess the Chinese undergraduate students’ EFL descriptive writing ability according to gender and to explore four EFL lecturers’ views on how to help students enhance their EFL descriptive writing. This study employed descriptive research design using the QUAN-qual model. A descriptive writing test was used as an instrument and the essays of the students were marked by a lecturer. Purposive sampling was used to select samples which consists of 400 Chinese undergraduate students (200 males and 200 females) from Hunan City University in Hunan Province, China. Before the actual study, the researcher carried out a pilot test to investigate the reliability and validity of the instrument (descriptive writing test). The results obtained from the quantitative data showed that female students outperformed male students in their overall writing as well as each component of the writing. In relation to students’ writing level, the lecturers emphasized that it is very crucial to utilize the Process Approach in class to enhance students’ vocabulary and grammar foundation. In addition, students are required to practice writing more frequently which can arouse their enthusiasm in learning English.