THI NHUNG NGUYễN (UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES )

THE EFFECT OF PORTFOLIO WRITING PROCESS ON STUDENTS’ WRITING SKILLS: A CASE STUDY AT A UNIVERSITY IN VIETNAM : LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION

A vast body of research has studied writing portfolios as an assessment tool or in terms of peer-written feedback. However, the influence of the portfolio writing process on students’ writing ability is still a research field that is awaiting scholars and researchers to investigate. To fill the gaps, this paper aims to (1) investigate the effect from the students’ self-assessment and (2) identify the actual effects on the writing pieces. Multiple-case study design was chosen as the research design in which interview and document analysis were two data collection instruments. Results from document analysis played an essential role in verifying the findings attained from the students’ self-assessment. The study yielded fruitful findings in response to the two research questions. Findings from two research questions revealed a similarity about the most tremendous progress in coverage of main points and vocabulary. In analysing three versions of each writing topic from the three selected cases, it was proven that positive changes were made from version to version thanks to the teacher’s and peers’ comments and the writer’s self-correction. A noticeable discrepancy existed between the findings of the two research questions. Some writing abilities reported as slight improvement turned out to be more positively progressed than the students had thought. In contrast, some reported much enhancement, but it contrasted with what their writing pieces revealed. Based on the findings, implications were made for teachers, peers and students, hoping to make the most of the writing portfolio process.

Nhung Nguyen is a lecturer at the University of Languages and International Studies, Vietnam National University. Her primary areas of research focus on methodologies and teaching approaches, testing and assessment, syllabus design, material selection and adaptation and personal development.