EMBEDDING THE ELEMENT OF FUN IN TEACHING WRITING FOR ESL YOUNG LEARNERS USING BALLOON POPPING TECHNIQUE

Abstract

Teaching English to young learners is an arduous task but a meaningful one too. Teachers of young learners strive to provide fun and engaging instructions in the ESL classrooms as to augment students’ language proficiency and development. In the effort to improve students’ writing skills, there are a variety of methods that can be used in the classroom. However, mostly teachers adopt the traditional approach of paper and pencil technique which bores the students and lacks fun component in the classroom. To worsen the situation, students writing skills are still at a poor level. As such, this study embarks on a writing project using a balloon popping method which involves kinaesthetic and visual elements in amplifying the opportunity to pick up writing skills in a fun and engaging way. 35 primary school students participated in this study where a pre-test was carried out before the technique was introduced. This technique was carried out for 3 months and a post writing test was held afterwards. The results showed a tremendous increase in the grades where 85% of the students scored 70 marks and above in the post-test as compared to the pre-test scores. A semi-structured interview was also carried out with the group leaders and the teacher who taught them the technique in class. Reflection entries from the teacher were garnered to validate the post-test results. The students and teacher felt that this technique boosts students’ learning motivation, injects fun in learning, improves process writing and provides platform for alternative assessment. Fun and engaging approach can be used in ESL classes to enhance and assist learning. Future learning modules for students should embed similar economical activities that can be done at home with parents and guardians.