ESL Activity: Using Paragraph Writing Technique to Develop Ideas for Individual Presentation in Speaking Assessments

(English Unit, Negeri Sembilan Matriculation College, Malaysia)

Abstract: Malaysian students need to sit for Malaysian University English Test (MUET) before entering local universities. The aim of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of paragraph writing technique in preparing students for MUET Speaking assessment; Individual Presentation. Although the focus is speaking, I used “paragraph writing” technique introduced by Huggard (2003) as my intervention tool. This method helped students in their development of ideas for Speaking task in “Task Fulfilment” as described in the marking scheme. Whitehead and McNiff’s Model (2006) was chosen because of its 5 disciplined and systematic steps known as “action reflection”; a complete cycle with a plan to modify the action and move in new and improved direction. The data collected was quantitative and obtained through assessment of the student’s presentations through various mediums. 13 respondents were chosen for this study. After the first cycle, 8 students managed to increase their marks from “Limited User” to “Modest User”. Meanwhile, the other 5 had to go through the second cycle. After that, they managed to obtain good marks and became a “Satisfactory User”. Overall, by using the “paragraph writing” technique, the students managed to organize their ideas effectively before delivering their ideas in the speaking assessment. 

Key words: ESL, MUET, speaking assessment, speaking skills