(APPENDIX-A)

FACULTY QUESTIONNAIRE

Dear Teacher,

This set of questionnaire seeks your response as teachers to the delivery system of
writing skills at senior secondary level. Its objective is to examine an academic
issue. The researcher gives you full assurance that your response will be kept
strictly confidential, and will be used only for research purpose.

I thank you in anticipation for your honest and frank response.

(Tick the answer of your choice and you can choose more than one option.)

1. (a) Name (optional)……………………………………….

(b) Gender………………

2. School………………………………………………...

3. Qualifications…………………………………………

4. Teaching Experience:…………………………………..

Section I:

5. When your students join class XI-

(a) Are they well versed in grammatical rules, vocabulary and sentence
construction?

(i) Yes [ ] (ii) No [ ]

(b) Know them, but are not able to employ it in their written work.

(i) Yes [ ] (ii) No [ ]

 (c) Their written work lacks cohesion.

(i) Yes [ ] (ii) No [ ]

(d) Are able to come up with a coherent piece of composition.

(i) Yes [ ] (ii) No [ ]

Section II:

6. Which language do you prefer for giving instructions in

class?.......................................

7. How far is your class able to grasp lectures delivered in English?

(a) To a large extent

(b) To some extent

(c) With difficulty

(d) Not at all

8. In which skill are they not confident? Kindly specify your assessment for
each skill. The following list of scales is provided:

1=Least confident 2=Less confident 3=Confident 4=Very confident

(a) Listening 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(b) Speaking 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(c) Reading 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(d) Writing 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

9. Which skill according to you is most important for them? Rate your order of
importance for each skill. The following list of scales is provided:
1=Most Important 2= Important 3=Less important 4= Not so Important

(a) Listening 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(b) Speaking 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(c) Reading 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(d) Writing 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

10. In which skill do they have a slower improvement as a part of the

curriculum? Kindly rate your assessment for each skill. The following list of
scales is provided:

1=No improvement 2=Less improvement 3=Some improvement 4=Much

improvement.

(a) Listening 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(b) Speaking 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(c) Reading 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(d) Writing 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

11. How do you evaluate your students’ writing skill as compared to other
skills?

(a) Good [ ]

(b) Satisfactory [ ]

(c) Unsatisfactory [ ]

(d) Poor [ ]

12. Do you find difference in the written work of students coming from
Hindi/Urdu medium and of English medium?
(a) Yes [ ] (b) No [ ]

(c) Partly Yes [ ] (d) Cannot say anything [ ]

If yes, what difference do you notice……………………………………..

13. While writing, you notice your students confronting problems at various
levels of writing. Rate your assessment for each level. The following list of
scales is provided:

1= Most difficult 2= Difficult 3=Less difficult 4= Not so difficult

(a) At the level of vocabulary 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(b) Grammatical level 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(c) Sentential level 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(d) Drafting a coherent composition 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

14. Do you make it compulsory for students to carry out each of the writing
activity prescribed in the course textbooks?

(a) Always [ ]

(b) Sometimes [ ]

(c) Occasionally [ ]

(d) Never [ ]

15. Are the writing tasks prescribed in the course books (Hornbill) for class XI
and (Flamingo) for class XII relevant to the future needs of students?

(a) Yes [ ] (b) No [ ]

(c) Partly yes [ ] (d) Cannot say anything [ ]

16. Do you feel that writing activities prescribed in textbooks are relevant to
Aligarh Muslim University context?

(a) Yes [ ] (b) No [ ]

(c) Partly yes [ ] (d) Cannot say anything [ ]

Which other activities could be introduced?……………………………

……………………………………………………………………………..

17. Before asking students to write on a topic, do you conduct some pre-writing
activities?

(a) Always [ ]

(b) Sometimes [ ]

(c) Occasionally [ ]

(d) Never [ ]

18. Do you consult prescribed textbooks only to impart writing skills?

(a) Always [ ]

(b) Sometimes [ ]

(c) Occasionally [ ]

(d) Never [ ]

Which other books/materials do you consider to impart better writing

skills?............................................................................................................

……………………………………………………………………………..

19. Which approach do you adopt in class to teach writing skills?

 (a) Controlled approach [ ]

(b) Free approach [ ] Any other:…………… (c)

Communicative approach [ ]

(d) Integrated approach [ ]

20. How do you impart a particular writing skill in class?

(a) By your experience [ ]

(b) By following the guidelines [ ]

(c) By discussing it with colleagues [ ] Any other………….

(d) By exploiting resources [ ]

(Libraries, internet etc)

21. Out of the given writing sub-skills which of them do you consider as the
most important for your students’ future? Rate your assessment for each sub-
skill by indicating 1 as the lowest and 4 as the highest. A list of sub-skills is
provided:

(a) Writing essays, summary and note making. [ ]

(b) Writing curriculum-vitae, applications and notices. [ ]

(c) Writing letters (formal/business) [ ]

(d) Writing sessional and examination answers. [ ]

22. How often do you provide students with feedback?

(a) Always [ ] (b) Sometimes [ ]

(c) Occasionally [ ] (d) Never [ ]

23. What kind of feedback do you provide on the written work of students?

(a) By offering remarks [ ]

(b) By using rubrics [ ]

(c) Marking the mistakes [ ]

(d) All of the above [ ]

24. How often do you conduct follow-up activities related to writing skills you
have taught in class?

(a) Once in a week [ ]

(b) Once in a fortnight [ ]

(c) Once in a month [ ]

(d) Once in a session [ ]

25. As teachers you must be facing problems in teaching writing skills. Please
list some of these and provide some suggestions as to how this skill can be
taught and perceived in a better way.

Problems Solutions
1………………………………………./………………………………
2………………………………………../………………………………
3……………………………………… /………………………………
4………………………………………./………………………………
5………………………………………../………………………………
Section III:
26. Given below are some statements related to writing skills which include
(learners, textbooks and teaching strategies) adopted at senior secondary
level. Please tick the box of your choice. It will indicate your opinion about
a particular statement.

SA = Strongly Agree A = Agree D = Disagree SD =Strongly Disagree

U=Undecided

S.NO. STATEMENTS SA A D SD U

1. Writing helps students improve

their English (structure, grammar
and vocabulary).

2. Writing prompts students to think.

3. Regular practice in writing results

in academic excellence.

4. Writing in English language is

difficult than writing in mother
tongue.

5. Writing tends to be a frustrating

and exhausting skill for students.

6. Accuracy is more important in

writing than fluency.

7. Reading helps students write

better.

8. Dictionary is an essential tool in

the writing class.

9. Textbooks deal with real world

writing issues.

10. Tasks of writing are appropriate to

 learner’s abilities.

11. Textbooks emphasize writing on

topics related to learners’ lives.

12. Supplementary textbooks have

given priority to reading skill.

13. Textbooks have enough space to

carry out writing tasks.

14. Writing tasks represent different

genres.

15. Textbooks include pre-writing

and post-writing activities.

16. Textbooks motivate students to

practise writing.

17. Writing tasks in textbooks are

graded from simple to complex.

18. Guidelines to carry out writing

activities are well presented in
textbooks.

19. A correlation exists between

supplementary and core texts
regarding writing skills.

20. Most of the students carry out

writing during examination and
sessionals only.

21. Students tend to neglect writing

tasks.
22. A difference may be seen in the
written work of class XI as
compared to that of class XII
students.

23. Majority of the students revise

their written work before
submitting.

24. Majority of students write with

readers in mind.

25. Students prefer to write on topics

which interest them.

26. A brief discussion in mother

tongue motivates students to
respond positively in their written
work.

27. Inadequacy of time hampers

students from taking writing skill
seriously in class.

28. Group/peer work in writing bears

fruitful results.

29. Feedback/Assessment is
necessary for gaining writing
skill.

30. Mistakes should be discussed in

class.

31. Assessing so many samples in the

allocated period is a tough job.

32. Majority of students respond

positively towards feedback.
 (APPENDIX-B)

Students’ Questionnaire
Dear student,

This set of questionnaire is related to ‘writing skills’ taught at senior

secondary level. Its objective is to inquire and examine an academic
issue. The researcher gives you full assurance that the information
provided by you in the questionnaire would be confidential, and used
only for the purpose of research.

I thank you in anticipation for providing accurate answers to the

following set of questions:-

(Tick the answer of your choice)

1. Name (Optional): ……………………………………..

2. (a) Age: …………. (b) Gender:……………

3. Rural/Urban: ………………

4. Mother Tongue: ………………

5. (a) Faculty: ……………………… (b)Class:…………..

6. Name the institution from where you have passed your High
School?……………………………………………

7. How many years have you studied English?

......................................

8. Which Language your teachers use as the medium of

instruction in classroom?..............................
 88

9. How far are you able to interpret lectures delivered in English?

(a) To a large extent [ ]

(b) To some extent [ ]

(c) With difficulty [ ]

(d) Not at all [ ]

10. How do you judge your proficiency in English writing?

(a) Good [ ]

(b) Satisfactory [ ]

(c) Unsatisfactory [ ]

11. Do your teachers discuss the topic, before asking you to write?

(a) Always [ ]

(b) Sometimes [ ]

(c) Occasionally [ ]

(d) Never [ ]

12. For effective writing, which of the following do you think is

important?

(a) Spelling and punctuation. [ ]

(b) Organization [ ]

(c) Grammar [ ]

(d) All of the above [ ]

 89

13. While writing, if you are not sure of a spelling, what do you do?

(a)You just write it down [ ]

(b)Consult a Dictionary [ ]

(c) Seek help from teachers/parents/peers [ ]

(d) Drop that word [ ]

14. At what level, do you face difficulty while writing? Encircle the
scale which applies to you. The following list of scales is provided:

1=Most difficult 2=difficult 3=Less difficult 4=Not so difficult

(a) Conceptualizing your piece of writing.1,2,3,4 [ ]

(b) Organizing your words in a text. 1,2,3,4 [ ]

(c) Drafting these words into a meaningful text.1,2,3,4 [ ]

(d) Revising your text. 1,2,3,4 [ ]

15. How do you rate your English writing classes? Tick the scale of
your choice.

(a) Very interesting [ ]

(b) Interesting [ ]

(c) Satisfactory [ ]

(d) Unsatisfactory [ ]

16. Apart from classroom activities, do you participate in other

writing competitions such as self-composed poetry, short stories,
essays etc?

(a) Always [ ]

(b) Sometimes [ ]
 90

(c) Occasionally [ ]

(d) Never [ ]

17. Do you carry out writing activities suggested in your core English
books (Hornbill for class XI and Flamingo for class XII) in class as
well at home?

(a) Always [ ]

(b) Sometimes [ ]

(c) Occasionally [ ]

(d) Never [ ]

18. Does your teacher evaluate your written composition?

(a) Always [ ]

(b) Sometimes [ ]

(c) Occasionally [ ]

(d) Never [ ]

19. How does she/he check your written samples?

(a) By collecting your assignments.

(b) By asking you to interchange with peers.

(c) By asking you to read out and peers to examine.

(d) All of the above.

20. Given below are some writing activities recommended in your

course. Encircle the order of difficulty you face in each writing
activity. The list of scales is provided:

1=No difficulty 2=Some difficulty 3=Little difficulty 4=Much difficulty

 91

(a) Note Making - 1, 2, 3, 4

(b) Summarizing- 1, 2, 3, 4

(c) Letter Writing- 1, 2, 3, 4

(d) Essay Writing- 1, 2, 3, 4

(e) Report Writing- 1, 2, 3, 4

(f) Factual Writing- 1, 2, 3, 4

(g) Writing Curriculum Vitae- 1, 2, 3, 4

21. What is your purpose behind gaining writing skills? Encircle your
assessment according to the scale given below.

1=Most important, 2=Important, 3=Less important, 4=Not so important

(a) Requirement for academic excellence. 1, 2, 3, 4

(b) Requirement for examination. 1, 2, 3, 4

(c) Requirement for professional courses. 1, 2, 3, 4

(d) Requirement for dealing with real life issues. 1, 2, 3, 4

22. Out of the four language skills, how do you evaluate yourself in
each skill? Rate your assessment for each skill. The following
list of scales is provided:

1 = Excellent 2 = Good 3 = Average 4 = Poor

(a) Listening - 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(b) Speaking- 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(c) Reading- 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(d) Writing- 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]
 92

23. Out of these four language skills, in which skill do you find
yourself lacking in confidence. Rate your assessment for each
skill. The following list of scales is provided:

1= Least confident 2= Less confident 3=Confident 4= Most

confident

(a) Listening 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(b) Speaking 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(c) Reading 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(d) Writing 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

24. In which skill do you face a slower development as a part of

your curriculum? Rate your assessment for each skill. The
following list of scales is provided:

1= No development 2= Less development 3= Some development

4=Much development

(a) Listening 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(b) Speaking 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(c) Reading 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(d) Writing 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]
 93

25. According to the need of time which skill you think is the most
important for you? Rate your assessment for each skill. The
following list of scales is provided:

1=Most important 2=Important 3=Less important 4=Least important

(a) Listening - 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(b) Speaking- 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(c) Reading- 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]

(d) Writing- 1, 2, 3, 4 [ ]
 94

26. Given below are some statements related to writing skills. Please
tick the box of your choice. It will indicate your opinion about a
statement.

SA = Strongly Agree A = Agree SD = Strongly Disagree

D = Disagree

S.No. Statements SA A SD D

1. Writing skill is very important for my

future needs.

2. Writing motivates me to think.

3. Writing regularly improves my English.

4. Writing skill gives me competence to

improve my other skills (grammar,
vocabulary and sentence construction).

5. Writing activities recommended in my

course books are sufficient to improve my
writing.

6. I have noted some improvement in my

writing skill after attending writing
classes.

7. Textbooks deal with real world writing

issues.

8. Before writing, I plan and discuss it with

teachers and classmates.

9 While writing I consult a dictionary.

10 Pair work helps me write better.

11. I take risk in choosing vocabulary and

grammar while writing.
 95

12. I always revise my written work.

13. My teacher helps me identify my mistakes.

14. I look forward to teachers’ comments.

15. I lack confidence while writing.

16. I find it difficult to start writing.

17. I frequently make grammatical errors.

18. I face difficulty in constructing longer

sentences.

19. I know about a topic, but I am not able to

organize it into a well drafted piece.

20. I feel shy to show my written work.

21. Writing is a tiresome activity.

22. I write during examination and sessionals

only.

23 I do not get proper time to practise writing

in class.

24 I do not get a chance to show my written

work.