The Influence of Gradating and the Use of Audio-visual aids on the Development of Writing Skill among Fifth Grade EFL Students

Abstract

Abstract The present study aims at investigating the influence of gradating in teaching the writing skill for young foreign language learners. It also sheds light on the significance of using audiovisual aids in improving the writing skill. The sample of the study consisted of 80 male students who were enrolled in the academic year 2013-2014 in Abdel-Qader Jaradat Primary School in the town of Se'ir. The subjects consisted of two sections, a and b.The study was carried out through four stages: stages (1-3) dealt with gradation in teaching writing for the whole sample in the two sections starting from the word-level passing through the sentence level reaching the paragraph level. After finishing the gradation stage, the subjects were dealt with as an experimental group (section A) and a control group (section B) so as to investigate the impact of using audiovisual aids on improving their writing skills. Stage four, however, focused on using the audiovisual aids in the three levels of writing, but for the experimental group only. For the sake of the study, the researcher designed a test by which he examined the ability of his learners on writing a paragraph. The test was given to the subjects prior to the gradation stage as a pre-test, then it was given again after finishing the gradation stage as a post- test and finally it was given again after using audiovisual aids. The three tests were given to the two groups (experimental and control). Means, standard deviations and percentages were calculated by using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) program. The results of the pre- test show that both groups were unable to write a short paragraph. However, the results of the post -test after the gradation stage show clear improvement in their writing ability. The results of the post test after using audiovisual aids show further progress in writing a paragraph. The results of the whole study emphasized the significance of using gradation and audiovisual aids in teaching writing skill.