This study examines the correlation between teaching lexical bundles and enhancing writing skills in English Composition courses. It addresses two research questions: First, to what extent does the explicit teaching of lexical bundles facilitate greater comprehension and retention of these elements? Second, how does increasing the comprehension and retention of lexical bundles relate to changes in writing grades? Lexical bundles, high-frequency combinations of words that often appear together, are fundamental to English vocabulary and essential for language learning. They are usually incomplete grammatical structures formed by combining phrases such as "on the other hand" and "you are responsible." Research indicates that recognizing and reproducing these patterns significantly aids students in expressing themselves accurately and producing coherent text. Scholars in applied linguistics have argued that the ability to recognize patterns, recall them, and later reproduce them contributes significantly to language proficiency and to fluency in mastering the English language. This study used quantitative research methods to analyze pre-test and post-test results and written assignments from control and experimental groups. Findings revealed that explicit instruction in lexical bundles significantly improved the experimental group's overall writing grades. Furthermore, the study identified commonly used lexical bundles among high-achieving participants, showing a positive correlation between the number of lexical bundles utilized in writing and improved grades. The study concludes with recommendations for greater emphasis on incorporating lexical bundles into English composition courses at universities, highlighting their role in enhancing student writing and overall language proficiency.

Authors:
Sally Kondos, American University in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

About the Presenter(s)
Dr.Sally Kondos is an Assistant Professor of English at American University in Dubai, UAE. The goal of my research is to develop innovative teaching strategies that foster student engagement and facilitate the process of learning the English Language

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sally-kondos-a4050149

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