Using Online Collaboration for Developing EFL Preparatory stage Students' Reading and Writing Skills and Their Motivation for Language Learning

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating using online collaboration for developing EFL preparatory stage students' reading and writing skills and their motivation for language learning. Four Instruments in the study were developed a reading and writing skills inventory to determine the reading and writing skills necessary for the students, a reading and writing skills test, a motivation scale for language learning and a rubric for reading and writing skills. The participants were two classes (64 students) from the second year preparatory school at Somoha Al Azhar Institute in Alexandria. They were divided into two groups. A pre-test, a post -test and a motivation scale were administrated. The study was based on action research design. The selected target reading and writing skills were integrated on Wiki forming an online reading and writing course. The selected reading and writing skills were summarizing, paraphrasing, suggesting and end for a short story. Findings of the study indicated significant differences between the mean scores of the experimental group and those of the control group on the post reading and writing test, post administration of the motivation scale towards learning language in favour of the experimental group. The results showed that online collaboration seemed to enhance the students' reading and writing skills. This study recommends using online collaboration as a tool in teaching reading and writing skills.