17 their statement is
not absolutely right or true since it is just their own opinions” Hua, 2011, p.563. They were mostly used to introduce a claim on a new passage. Modal
lexical ‘believe’ is used most by the students as an introductory phrase.
Examples: Student 8
:
“[because] of that and other reasons, I believe that Non-native
English Speaker Teacher is better than Native English Speaker Teacher.”
Student 9 :
“
I believe that a result of a proficiency test can only be a
measurement for the basic competence of someone’s proficiency,…” 12 out of 19 students see table. 1 managed to make use of this tentative language to
safely enter the conversation in their writing, while some failed to present introductory phrases. It results in as if their writing has not voice because they were merely
presenting comments without a clear stance toward the topic. This also will be discussed further in discussion part.
1.5 If Clause
Table 6. Distribution of Approximators of If Clause
If Clause Total Occurrence
If 25
If- clauses were also found in the students’ writing. 12 students applied this on
their writing. They made use of if when trying to explain their proposition. In order to make an example or illustration of a case before giving arguments.
Examples:
18
Student 6:
“
For example, if the student did not understand what the teacher
said, they can ask the teacher to repeat,…”
Student 7: “If some people including researchers think that NESTs are not
really good in teaching English, here I will,…”
1.6 Adverbial, Adjectival, Nominal Modal Phrase
Table 7. Distribution of Approximators of Adjectival, Adverbial, Nominal
Phrase Adjectival, Adverbial,
Nominal Phrase
Total Occurrence
Maybe 9
Assumption 8
Probably 5
Suggestion 1
Perhaps 1
Claim 1
Adjectival, adverbial, nominal modal phrases were used less by the students. Only 11 students managed to slip these phrases on their writing. This particular lexical
items has similar function as other hedges which to show the uncertainty. Most of them are found in st
udents’ comments. Maybe is the adverbial phrase which is used the most in the students writing.
Example: Student 15
: “
despite the fact that maybe some NNEST who take a study
abroad,…”
Student 16
: “ it did not mean that his NEST did not know the answer, but
perhaps
his NEST could not explain it”
