| Abstract |
Teaching essay writing is a challenging task for most instructors as writing is a
skill that requires continuous practice. Learning to master essay writing skills
is also a problem face by students in all educational levels. Despite the
numerous efforts put in by the instructors, students still face challenges when
they are asked to write. EyWriG (Essay Writing Game) is developed to
establish a teaching learning environment in a game-based situation. The
objective of EyWriG application is to assist students in learning essay writing
through games, hence sustaining their writing interest. The idea of EyWriG,
which comes from the joint construction of essay in classrooms, is being
transformed into a game that can be played by two to four players. Every
player will be given a set of words which are selected from Laufer and
Nation’s (1999) five levels of vocabulary, namely, 2000, 3000, UWL, 5000 and
10000 levels. In addition to the vocabulary lists, prepositions, pronouns and
articles will also be given. Players take turn to compose an essay by forming
meaningful sentences from the list of words given, with the first player setting
the context of the essay. With EyWriG, students can navigate through the
learning environment of essay writing through their mobile phones, tablets
and laptops. They can polish their writing skills and enhance their grammar
and vocabulary skills while interacting with the other players in the games.
EyWriG can be linked to the English language syllabus in the primary,
secondary and tertiary levels as writing is one of the skills that is taught and
tested in schools. EyWriG can also be adopted by language instructors to
create a suitable teaching and learning environment which is student-centered
in that students are active in playing the games and have the leading roles,
with teachers as facilitators. |