APISAK SUKYING (MAHASARAKHAM UNIVERSITY)

MAXIMIZING GRADUATE SUCCESS: THE IMPACT OF SUPERVISOR FEEDBACK ON STUDENT ENGAGEMENT IN ENGLISH THESIS WRITING : SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION AND LITERACY DEVELOPMENT

Engaging with supervisor feedback is essential for developing graduate students’ research and writing skills, unlocking the full potential of the learning process. Despite extensive studies on corrective feedback, specific engagement with supervisor written feedback in English thesis writing has received comparatively little attention. Various factors can facilitate this engagement, enhancing students’ writing abilities. This study examined six graduate students’ responses to supervisor written feedback and its impact on their English thesis writing. Data from initial drafts, supervisor feedback, revised drafts, and simulated recalls provided a nuanced understanding of the feedback process and its effects on student engagement. The data analysis included text analysis of drafts and qualitative analysis of stimulated recall transcriptions to assess engagement. The findings revealed that supervisor written feedback promoted cognitive, affective, and behavioral engagement. Cognitive engagement was shown as students thoughtfully processed and applied feedback to refine their drafts. Affective engagement was evident through emotional responses, which motivated improvement. Behavioral engagement was demonstrated by actions taken to revise work based on feedback, resulting in enhanced L2 writing abilities. The study also identified both similarities and differences in student engagement, highlighting the importance of personalized feedback strategies to meet individual needs. These findings suggest that understanding student engagement with feedback allows educators and supervisors to refine their methods, resulting in better academic outcomes, enriched learning experiences, and enhanced support for diverse student needs.

Dr. Apisak Sukying, Assistant Professor of TESOL and Chair of the PhD Programme at Mahasarakham University, Thailand, holds a PhD from the University of Sydney, Australia. His research focuses on L2 vocabulary acquisition, academic writing, SLA, text analysis, ESP, and language learner strategies.