Effect of Using On-line Chat on the Writing Composition of First Secondary EFL Students in Jordan

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the effect of using On-line Chat discussion on the writing composition of 10th grade EFL students. The sample of the study consisted of 127 EFL students (31 males and 32 females) in the experimental group were taught using On-Line Chat discussion with native and non-native English speakers through the Internet; whereas the control group consisted of 64 (32 males and 32 females) received the same instructional materials and time used for the experimental group, using the traditional teaching method. Five different writing passages were taught to the experimental and the control groups for five sessions. The results of the study revealed that there were statistically significant differences between the mean scores of the experimental group and the control group after treatment. On-line Chat method of teaching had a greater significant positive effect on improving the EFL students English writing composition than the traditional method. The results also showed that there was no significant difference between males and females achievement. The results of this study imply that schools can benefit from the use of the Internet as a source of learning. This might encourage educators to stress the use of On-Line Chat technique in teaching in order to develop EFL students’ writing composition.