Author: Binta KOITA (Université des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines de Bamako, Mali)
Abstract
English Academic writing can be challenging for English as a Foreign Language students. Studies have shown that students may face problems in developing their skills in writing, and/or may lack motivation to engage into writing when the writing task does not meet their interests or needs. As a result, countless research has examined strategies of enhancing students’ interest and competence in writing. This study explores how engaging students into civic activities can help improve their writing skills and motivate them to better serve their community. Students participated into various community service activities and were asked to share in series of written reflections their expectations, experiences, and outcomes of their projects. Through a qualitative research method, 36 Master students were observed, interviewed, and had their written prompts analyzed by the researcher. The results indicated that the experience was not only a highly motivated one for developing students’ writing skills, but also one that permitted students to participate in civic activities in their communities. Before engaging in civic activities, students had poor writing quality and very little knowledge of civic education. However, throughout the project, students have improved their writing skills and have developed social engagement qualities such as agency and commitment. Implication of the study is advocacy for the implementation of civic engagement in the whole curriculum at university.
Keywords: writing, EFL, Civic education, civic engagement
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