A CASE STUDY ON PEER FEEDBACK TOWARDS EFL STUDENTS IN AN INTERNATIONAL CLASSROOM : A Descriptive Study of Lab Reports.

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List of Contents

Page

TITLE PAGE i

APPROVAL SHEET ii

STATEMENT OF AUTHORIZATION iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

ABSTRACT v

PREFACE vi

LIST OF CONTENTS vii

LIST OF FIGURES x

LIST OF TABLES xi

1. Introduction

1

1.1 Background 1

1.2 Statements of the Problem 8

1.3 Objectives of the Study 8

1.4 Significance of the Study 8

1.5 Organization of the Study 9

2. Theoretical Framework

10

2.1 Writing 10

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2.1.2 Writing as a Process 13

2.2 Peer Feedback 15

2.2.1 The Philosophy of Peer Feedback 18

2.2.2 The Types of Peer Feedback 22

2.2.3 The Drawbacks in Peer Feedback 25

2.3 Peer Feedback in Writing 27

3. Methodology

30

3.1 Research Design 30

3.2 Population and Samples 32

3.3 Research Instruments 33

3.3.1 Respondents’ Compositions 33

3.3.2 Questionnaire 34

3.3.3 Structured Interview 35

3.4 Data Analysis 35

3.4.1Quantitative Analysis 35

3.4.2Qualitative Analysis 36

3.5 Research Procedure 37

3.6 Validity 39

4. Findings and Discussions

40

4.1 Types of Peer Written Feedback 40

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4.1.2 Discussion 47

4.2 Learners’ Perception on Peer Feedback 49

4.2.1 Findings and Analysis 50

4.2.2 Discussion 53

4.3 How Learners take their Peer’s Written Feedback 55

4.3.1 Findings and Analysis 55

4.3.2 Discussion 61

5. Conclusions and Suggestions

64

5.1 Conclusions 64

5.2 Suggestions 67

Bibliography

70

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2.1.2.1 Writing Process Cycle 14

Figure 3.1.1 Concurrent Embedded Design 31

Figure 3.1.2 One-shot Case Study 31

Figure 3.4.1 Research Procedure 38

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 4.1.1.1 Sample of Respondents’ Written Commentary 41 Feedback

Table 4.1.1.2 Types of Written Feedback 43

Table 4.1.1.3 Feedback Points 43

Table 4.1.1.4 Types of Revision 45

Table 4.2.1.1 Questionnaire Results on Learners’ Perception 50 of Peer Feedback

Table 4.2.1.2 Questionnaire Results on the benefits of 51 Peer Feedback

Table 4.2.1.3 Questionnaire Results on the Obstacles of 53 Peer Feedback

Table 4.3.1.1 Interview Results on the Effectiveness of 56 Peer Feedback

Table 4.3.1.2 Interview Results on Learners’ Preference 58 on the types of Peer Feedback

Table 4.3.1.3 Interview Results on Whether Learners’ 60 Incorporated their Peer’s Feedbacks

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Chapter 1 Introduction

This chapter of the paper briefly describes the rationale and purpose of the undergoing research.

1.1 Background

In the era of vast information and globalization, English has been some sort of a trend and kudos amongst intellectuals and in almost every level of the society. This is caused by the inevitable requirement and development of information throughout the whole world, especially in developing Asian countries that compels the society to communicate and operate control panels, which formally applies English as the universal language. Higher education, particularly in Indonesia, has also driven students to comprehend English – based textbooks to enhance them in course work and assignments, and nowadays students are obliged to fulfill the requirements of an English proficiency test to enter and even graduate from various universities or institutes. Moreover, in international or ESL classes learners also utilize English through classroom activities, which apply all four language skills. This phenomenon has forced the public to actively seek various means to acquire these requirements, which consequently encourages English centers and institutions to enhance better and optimal English programs.

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There are various methods of language teaching. The conventional method, or best known as the traditional method, focuses on teacher-centered, whereas nowadays there are many alternative ways and techniques in teaching. These breakthroughs in teaching essentially practices learner-centered approaches where learners are more involved in the process and experience of learning, especially in ELT. The materials in delivering this knowledge have been enhanced to fit the appropriate method and techniques for the learners to acquire language, therefore exposure plays an important role in language acquisition. As suggested by Cohen (1996), language learners are expected to learn how to communicate the target language in classrooms rather than learn the language through isolated words and phrases. Cohen adds that the sociocultural context of the language should also put into consideration to fully achieve the communicative objectives.

From time to time, the approaches in teaching language, especially English as a Foreign Language (EFL), have altered through decades of reform to meet the best results or outputs that could be yielded from the process of teaching - learning. These so called elites of language teaching have brought a diversity of ideas to take account into English Language Teaching (ELT). For instance, behaviorists (Skinner, 1957 as cited in De Bot, Lowie & Verspoor, 2005: 28) believe that learners can only learn something from correct and accurate examples of language, and as a result learners should imitate whatever is performed by natives or instructors. One could see that this belief neglects learner‟s autonomy, whereas Chomskyans (Chomsky, 1966 as cited in

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De Bot, Lowie & Verspoor, 2005: 78) considers that learners possess an abstract framework in their minds to enhance a constructive language acquisition from the various inputs learners obtain. These ideas of language acquisition have much influenced the methods and approaches of language teaching nowadays.

Krashen as cited in Harmer (2007:47) suggests that students should be concentrated on the right kind of language exposure, meaning language which more or less they understand based on experience and exposure. Students should be exposed more to the intended language in a more subconscious and anxiety free situation, where language skills are more freely expressed. In this case, language is obtained to develop the oral language, which includes listening and speaking, and written language, consisting of reading and writing. This study will focus on the process of written language acquisition, namely through writing activities.

Writing, as a productive skill, has a vital position in many aspects of our lives. People write many things in various different ways and purposes of using it, such as lab reports in science classes or in any scientific experiments. Thus the quality of written text itself has much importance as spoken language does to be spotlighted in the language classrooms, especially EFL. Its productivity ensures a better view of how language is brought to text, therefore the presentation of lab reports would be important as a writing product for the intended audience to grasp. The variation of methods brought into classrooms can also impact on the outcome. Therefore learning objectives are obliged to be in line with what is taught and how it meets the output. In

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the process towards the product, writers go through the course of doing revision whether to restore mechanical, grammatical, organizational or substantial inaccuracy of the draft. In this case, writing lab reports which is intended to inform a descriptive written work on what has been done during an experimental process could also be accounted into the writing process.

Through the process of learner‟s development in class, many (if not most) rely on teachers as the sole source of knowledge (Leki, 1991; Saito, 1994; Zhang, 1995 as cited in Hyland & Hyland, 2006:3). In the era of learner-centered approach, teachers have been introduced to various practice of formative assessment where collaborative learning is set up to encourage learners‟ autonomy, such as „peer correction‟ (Lin & Chien, 2009; Sultana, 2009). To support the cooperative learning atmosphere, some, if not many, have practiced peer-feedback as a method to enhance student‟s autonomy in the learning process. As a replacement for teacher‟s authority in the formal accuracy and product of writing, peer review encourages the writing process approach that inspires “greater respect for individual writing and for writing itself” (Hyland, 2003: 17 as cited inTing & Qian, 2010: 87).

In previous studies, the process of peer feedback gives opportunities for learners to engage in higher level thinking (Liu, Lin, Chiu, & Yuan, 2001). Moreover, it assists learners in their learning process by frequently applying higher order thinking skills in a community based environment. In addition, Zhang & Toker (2011) in their study states that peer review considerably influences learner‟s

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knowledge development, and also helps develop metacognitive learning skills in the learning community. It shows that learning as a community possesses a variety of advantages towards the development of knowledge.

According to Sanjaya (2005: 118) constructivists believe that learning, or in this case language acquisition, can be achieved as of the process in constructing new knowledge (or behavior) through learner‟s cognitive mental state that is derived from experience. This also appeals to the fact that learner‟s could input (if ever becomes intake) a diversity of learning sources throughout school hours, or extensively outside of the formal education site, where life experience can be detained.

Moreover, constructivism is thought to be in line with the idea of learner – centered, since meaningful learning and learner autonomy is greatly encouraged thus the variety of learning outcomes becomes comprehensible. In addition, Piaget (1970) as cited in Sanjaya (2005: 118) suggests that knowledge is not only fabricated from the object, but rather from the individual‟s ability to grapple every observed object. In other words, constructivists consider knowledge as everything that comes from the outside but is also constructed within the individual. Therefore, Sanjaya puts forward two essential factors within this school of thought, namely the object that is being observed and the subject claiming the facility to interpret the object. This indicates that knowledge is a dynamic theory, which is dependable on the individual‟s capacity to construct it. Furthermore, Piaget (1970) as cited in Sanjaya (2005: 118) proposes the principles of knowledge as follows:

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a. Knowledge is not only the objects represented through the world, but also the reconstruction process done by the subject.

b. The Subject forms cognitive, category, concept, and structure schema that are necessary to attain knowledge.

c. Knowledge is shaped in the conceptual structure of an individual. The conceptual structure forms knowledge if the concept is taken account with one‟s experience.

The cognitive aspect endured through experience would claim an essential factor in reshaping knowledge of this school of thought. Exposure that is received within the experience would play a major role towards the knowledge formation, especially in the context of language acquisition where it instills the idea of the right kind of exposure. Nevertheless, the instilled cognitive device individual‟s possess has much to do with the creation and conceptualization of knowledge. Thus, there is a strong dependent on both factors.

In line with the study, this belief would suggest the learner – centered approach of teaching and encourage the development of learner‟s autonomy in constructing knowledge, where knowledge is formed through the process of exposure or input from the outside world which is then processed within the individual‟s cognitive state. This may take place in the process-oriented writing activity, where it undergoes pre-writing, supports peer review and involves multiple drafts (Emig, 1983 as cited in Ting & Qian, 2010: 87).

In addition, Fujieda (2007:139) claims that feedback is an essential part towards the improvement of writing, and becomes an effective tool to aid learners in

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the process of the writing development. A study by Thaksanan (2007) revealed that subjects‟ written drafts changed to some extent and raised their awareness of a good piece of writing and language use. Furthermore, as Rollinson (2005) mentions the involvement of peers in a more supportive atmosphere is considered to be less threatening. However there are disadvantages, as Sultana (2009) shouts, where learner‟s self esteem and confidence might be dented and experience an embarrassing learning practice, but when students are provided with the collaborative skills to work with each other, the peer feedback session can be more effective (Murphy & Jacobs, 200).

Recently studies on feedback have shifted from the focus on learner‟s surface level of writing, namely accuracy, fluency of writing, and quality of texts, to an insight of feedback perception on writing such as learner‟s belief or behavior towards feedback (Fujieda, 2007:140). However, in the EFL context, especially in Indonesia, there has not been much studies in this area.

Based on what has been brought above, the present study would like to explore the types of written feedback, and how learners perceive and take their peer‟s written feedback for future writing.

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In line with the argument above, the present study emphasizes on the research questions below.

1. What types of feedback are given by learners towards their peer‟s writing drafts? 2. What are learner‟s perspectives towards peer feedback?

3. How do learners take their peer‟s written feedbacks for future writing?

1.3 Objectives of the Study

Based on the formulated questions above, the aim of the study are as follows: 1. To discover different types of written feedback by learner‟s towards their peer‟s

writing drafts.

2. To explore learner‟s perspectives towards the benefits and difficulties of peer feedback activity as a tool to improve their lab report.

3. To investigate how learners incorporate and respond towards their peer‟s written feedbacks for future writing.

1.4 Significance of the Study

The present study hopes to positively contribute to education in general, especially in the process of setting up and shaping learners writing ability. Theoretically, by identifying learner‟s perception towards the feedback technique, this would provide a deeper insight of how learners produce commentary feedbacks towards their peers and vise versa how they deal or incorporate those feedbacks into

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their revision or future writing. Moreover, knowing learner‟s perspectives and obstacles can in advance influence the process of teaching and learning to apt optimal outcomes.

As a result, teachers would have an insight to an alternative way towards the writing and thinking process of their learners. Through an overview of what students find difficult and accessible to them in the process (such as the type of written feedback and how learners incorporate and respond to them for future writing), therefore finding the best or alternative method that suits their learners would be comprehensible for teachers to consider towards this model.

1.5 Organization of the Thesis Chapter 1 - Introduction

This chapter briefly introduces the undergoing study in general.

Chapter 2- Theoretical Framework

This chapter reviews previous theories underpinning the issue of the study.

Chapter 3 – Methodology

This chapter illustrates the process of data collection and procedures in carrying out the study.

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This chapter reveals the results of the study and the data analysis through discussions and interpretation based on the findings and established theories.

Chapter 5 – Conclusion

This chapter concludes on what has been achieved through the study and suggestions on future studies.

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Chapter 3 Methodology

In this chapter of the study, a framework of the research method is presented to provide a description of how the study is conducted.

3.1 Research Design

This study employed mixed method research design, a way of investigating and comprehending social phenomenon through a combination of both quantitative and qualitative forms (Cresswell, 2009:4). Applying the paradigm of pre-experimental design (one-shot case study) with qualitative data and interpretive analysis (Nunan, 1992:6), the study itself emphasizes on the peer feedback approach in writing activities. The research design is a concurrent embedded design (as shown on figure 3.1.1), where the quantitative data represents the expected outcomes and the qualitative data explores the processes experienced by the subjects through the treatment (Creswell, 2009: 214). Morse (1991) c.f. Creswell (2009, 215) stated that both approaches could enrich the description of the subjects, or else when qualitative data could be employed to describe an aspect of a quantitative study that cannot be quantified.

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Period of time

Group A X --- O

Treatment Outcomes Analysis of Findings

Figure 3.1.1 Concurrent Embedded Design Figure 3.1.2 One-Shot Case Study

The one-shot case study is illustrated in figure 3.1.2, it shows the process of the study where the subjects (group A) receive treatment (X) for a period of time (---) and reach the expected outcomes (O). In a usual science class atmosphere, like any other day in campus, the respondents will be undergoing lab work, which follows the task of making reports on what they have examined through lab experiment. The respondents are put into groups of three, and they hand in their writing product (or first draft) to the other member of the group. For example, in a group there is A – B – C, the pattern of distribution would be A → B, B → C and C → A. This is where the treatment starts when participants give/receive feedback on their writing towards/from peers, and then re-evaluates or rewrites their original written work – in this case a lab report. Based on this cycle, participants will be able to create and justify their original piece of writing thus endures a stronger foundation of their writing ability and knowledge.

The study took place in the Science Department of a State University located in Bandung, West Java which is a government owned institution where there is a

QUAN qual

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program that gathers a group of selected students, which utilizes English as a means of instruction in class.

3.2 Population and Sample

The population of the study is students who are in the sixth semester. The samples were taken from a class with the number of 15 students. Most of the students would be around the age of 20 to 22 years.

The sampling of the study applied purposive sampling since the research would like to gain data from related respondents of the issue in hand. There are four objectives in purposive sampling that Maxwell (1996) c.f Alwasilah (2009:147) stated as follows:

1. The uniqueness and representation of the setting, individuals, or event 2. Heterogeneity of the population

3. Study critical cases of established theories

4. Finding comparisons to differentiate the rationale of the setting, individuals, or event

Based on the framework above, this study would purposively chose respondents who are undergoing the Kimia Sekolah 2 course in their classroom, which employs peer feedback as one of the techniques in the teaching-learning process.

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3.3 Research Instruments

In acquiring the data and informational knowledge, text analysis on learners’ written composition, questionnaire and structured interview were applied.

3.3.1 Respondents’ Compositions

Respondent’s written composition is collected to analyze and investigate the types of peer feedback, feedback points and revision types. The collected data were taken from 15 respondents’ first draft and revision of their lab reports which were written in English (a sample of a student’s written work and peer written commentary feedbacks are enclosed in appendix 1). From the first draft, all the commentary feedbacks written by respondents towards their peer work were compiled to be categorized into the types of written feedback, namely praise, criticism, and suggestions (adopted from Hyland 2001). The feedback points consisting of possible, usable, and used feedback (adopted from Miao, Richard & Yu, 2006) were also taken from the respondent’s first draft and second draft to obtain information on whether the feedbacks were incorporated into revision. The commentary feedbacks were put into those three categories. The second draft or revised text comprised of information and data that were categorized into revision types. This classification was put into two major revision points proposed by Faigley and Witte (1981), namely surface changes (including formal and meaning-preserving changes) and meaning changes (including microstructure and macrostructure). This was carried out to investigate the

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types of revision that were put into the learners’ writing after the peer feedback session.

3.3.2 Questionnaire

Questionnaire was applied to explore respondent’s perceptions towards the underpinning issue and to investigate their understanding based on knowledge and experience. This was distributed to 15 science students in a chemistry class after school hours. It comprised of 13 closed-ended questions in the form of statements, which employed the continuous scale (Creswell, 2009: 150) (e.g. strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree, and strongly disagree). The questionnaire was constructed through a series of drafts where discussions and considerations were made based on the research scope and importance between the researcher and the classroom instructor (who was familiar with the classroom situation). Some criteria were made in the construction that the questions were clear and easy to understand, and also easy to read, pleasant to the eye and the sequence is easy to follow (Kumar, 1996: 110). The acquired data was intended to investigate the respondents’ viewpoints towards the peer feedback session including the benefits and obstacles they experienced. The data was tabulated based on three classifications (peer feedback, benefits & obstacle) and then put into percentages based on the previous scale.

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3.3.3 Structured Interview

A structured interview is carried out to investigate and to intensify the interpretation gained through respondent’s writing product and questionnaire result. According to Kumar (1996: 109) defined a structured interview as a set of pre-determined questions which was specifically applied in the same order towards the respondents. This will provide unified information to assure the comparability of data (Kumar, 1996). There were three specific open-ended questions (enclosed in appendix 3) that was conducted to 7 randomly chosen respondents. The interview took around 5 – 10 minutes of the respondents’ time (which was done after class hours) and recorded using an audio recorder. The collected information are transcribed and analyzed to enrich the findings and attempt to perceive respondent’s standing point of behavior and beliefs undergoing the practice.

3.4 Data Analysis

The obtained data collected through the instruments as previously presented were subjected to quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis.

3.4.1 Quantitative Analysis

Text analysis was conducted to identify the number of commentary feedbacks, the number of feedbacks used into revision, and the revision types from the respondents’ drafts. This was done to answer the first research question (What types

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of feedback are given by learners towards their peer’s writing drafts?), where the commentary feedbacks were categorized based on the types of feedback (praise, criticism & suggestions), feedback points (possible, usable & used feedbacks), and revision types (surface & meaning changes). The results were quantified into percentages of frequency based on the classifications. This is enclosed in appendix 1. A questionnaire was also quantified based upon respondents’ responses towards 13 closed questions, displayed into percentages of frequency. This was to address the second research question (What are learner’s perspectives towards peer feedback?), which is enclosed in appendix 2.

3.4.2 Qualitative Analysis

In answering the third research question (How do learners take their peer’s written feedbacks for future writing?) a structured interview was assembled as quantitative analysis would not be able to capture the nature of the issue. The transcribed interview results were classified into three categories based on the structured questions given to 7 randomly chosen respondents (enclosed in appendix 3), aiming to explore the responses and beliefs towards their peer’s commentary feedbacks.

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In undergoing the research, the process of the study was conducted is illustrated as follow (also shown on Figure 3.4.1):

1. Preparing the research by exploring information and theories on websites and books related to the study.

2. Designing the research method and generating the research question(s). 3. Collecting data and information on the related issue.

a. Distributing questionnaires to the respondents to comprehend a better overview of the issue from their understanding and experience.

b. Analyzing respondents writing composition to discover the types of peer feedback, feedback points and revision types.

c. Carrying out an interview towards respondents to venture their minds and to capture a better interpretation of their outlook.

4. Analyzing and Interpreting the collected information/theories and data to obtain a grounded theory/s on the issue, namely categorization and tabulation of text analysis (types of feedback: praise, criticism & suggestion; feedback points: possible, usable & used feedbacks; and types of revision: surface & meaning changes), and interpretations of the findings through questionnaire and interview. 5. Drawing the conclusion of the study from the results based on the research

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Through this process the study would like to obtain data that could correlate to the research questions underpinning the phenomenon.

Preparation

Research Design

Analyzing information and theories on the underpinning issue (namely, writing & peer

feedback) Developing the research question(s) Designing the research method Data Collection Distributing Questionnaires Collecting participants written work (from draft 1

to final

product) Conducting _Interviews

Research Results

The collected data and information is analyzed and interpreted through

categorization and tabulation (participants’

responses & types of written feedback)

Research Finding(s)

The conclusion is made of the study based on interpretations of the outcome(s) and data to

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Figure 3.4.1 Research Procedure

3.6 Validity

Since the data is collected through documentary studies, respondent’s written composition and questionnaires, the data validity is checked through thick description of the issue. As Alwasilah (2009:171) stated that to avoid the inaccuracy and in completeness of the data, the interview is then made into transcripts which are presented in the appendices of this study as authentic and natural as possible.

To ensure the validity of the data, the interpretations of the data are then given back to the respondents to check the accuracy of what was interpreted through the questionnaire. This is called member checking, to make sure what we interpret is in line with the respondent’s point of view (Alwasilah, 2009:178).

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Chapter 5 Conclusions and Suggestions

This chapter presents the conclusion of the current study and provides suggestions for teaching implication and future research.

5.1 Conclusions

The present study investigated peer feedback in an EFL classroom, specifically towards science students who were assigned to do lab reports. Text

analysis on the subjects’ lab report drafts were exhibited to portray the types of peer feedbacks produced. Respectively, learners’ perceptions were also taken account to explore how they experienced the peer feedback activity and their response towards the different types of feedback for future revision/writing. The findings of the study can be summarized based on the three research questions (as mentioned in chapter 1) in the proceeding discussion, where the conclusions were assimilated from one to the other as it was seen as a justification.

The results confirmed that the learners responded positively towards the peer feedback session in general as it was viewed as effective and beneficial towards the development and improvement of their writing. Additionally, the collaborative atmosphere encouraged the respondents’ motivation towards an autonomous learning experience due to helpful social exchanges which helped reflect on their own writing

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ability and knowledge. This was contradictive to previous studies (Nelson & Murphy, 1993; Carson & Nelson, 1996; Connor and Asenavange, 1994; Fei, 2006, Sultana, 2009) confirming that Asian learners had negative attitudes towards peer feedback, as it was seen ineffective to various reasons.

Learners’ did not really take particular preference on the types of feedback they received, as long as it was useful for them to enhance their writing. Accordingly, the different types of feedback were acknowledged to have diverse roles towards the development of writing, either it was supportive for better writing or it was

accommodating learner’s self confidence. How comments were put into text also affected the way respondents perceived the feedbacks. For instance, short comments might give an unclear cut of what has to be done as it would be affectively different to a complete comprehensive comment.

Nevertheless, the study found that most of the written feedbacks were categorized as suggestions, where criticism took second place, and praise was the least favorite category. It shows that learners are trying to aid one another in the way of improving the writing quality, since more of the feedbacks were accounted into constructive comments.

On the contrary, the imbalanced figure also contradicts to the fact that the subjects were unfamiliar in producing positive comments due to the negative impression of feedbacks, if not; as a result of the absence of teacher feedback in providing comments (Connors & Lundsford, 1993; Lee).

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The study also shows that learners found difficulties in providing feedbacks by reason of lacking confidence in producing feedbacks, arguably because of their insufficient knowledge of the content and language.

However, learners humbly found their peers’ comments to be clear and leaning towards the correct direction, nonetheless, it was confirmed that most of their mistakes were due to their own carelessness.

Surprisingly, only 39.39% of the 132 usable feedbacks were found to be incorporated into revision, where most were considered as surface changes. This shows that more or less only some of the comments were viewed to be worth using into their writing, and that learners seem to focus more on surface level of writing, in the context of the study. Regardless, respondents acknowledged the commentary feedbacks as useful to improve their lab report, specifically when they were productive comments.

In conclusion, peer feedback can be an effective tool to promote better writing product through a collaborative process where it enhances not only the writing quality, but also the social cognitive aspect in a cooperative learning experience. Despite the positives, EFL learners are found to be unconfident in providing commentary feedbacks caused by the lack of practice and demonstration from the teacher/instructor. This also affects the quality of feedbacks produced by learners. Hence, even though this method endures the learner-centered approach, teachers as the facilitator have an essential role towards the success of the activity. Additionally,

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different group or class settings would have dissimilar approach to benefit from peer feedback. As for the present study, science students can benefit from peer feedback, especially in developing and improving their lab report where scientific writing is highlighted.

5.2 Suggestions

Based on what has been presented above, there are some suggestions for future teaching implications which could be taken into account when applying peer feedback into EFL writing activities.

First, teachers should carefully acknowledge the objective of the activity to the students and guidelines that follow before starting any peer feedback. This is to demonstrate how the activity is carried out and illustrate the purpose namely through explaining the benefits and advantages students could gain, and give examples of the different types of feedbacks. Its best when students are informed of being graded, either as writers or reviewers, thus both would give an effort to achieve optimally in the positive sense of collaboration.

Second, in the EFL context, carrying out peer feedback would be better done through stages depending on the general level of proficiency. In the first stage, students should focus on giving comments towards their peer’s draft on the surface level of writing, such as spelling, tenses, punctuation, vocabulary, and wording. This

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can encourage students to be more confident on the surface level of writing before coming to a more substantial issue. After the previous stage, the second draft is than given feedbacks, but the focus is more on the content of writing (e.g. whether the paragraphs have been coherent or cohesive with the ideas, has the text fulfilled the objectives, etc). This can motivate the students to write a better piece of writing, where the audiences are the purpose of text. The third stage is a general feedback of all the aspects, where students have quite enough practice after the two previous ones. The peer feedback is best done by a new partnership to exploit writing from a new perspective. Throughout the peer feedback session, teachers should monitor the process and supervise students if any problems occur.

The final suggestion is that teachers should consider the class characteristics (e.g. cultural values, level of proficiency, age, etc) and setting (such as class size, gender ratio, and so on) to discover appropriate ways to suit peer feedback into activities that would benefit the students and achieve the learning objectives. Pairing the students with suitable partners should also be taken into consideration, when applying this technique in classrooms. Additionally, the better you know your students, the better success level you may achieve.

This study was carried out not without limitations, such as homogenous group, small number of respondents, time restriction, researcher’s role etc. Therefore, there are some suggestions for future research as follows: (1) a comparative study could be conducted to investigate different types of groups (such as EFL/EFL. Large

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class vs. small class, (2) a prolong study on peer feedback, throughout a semester or more, to investigate the effects and perception in students writing, and (3) a deep exploration of learner’s response and beliefs towards the different types of peer feedback, and how they are put into revision where the researcher endures a participative role.

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