Combining isolated and integrated form-focused instruction: effects on productive skills

Abstract

Previous studies revealed that isolated and integrated form-focused instruction (FFI) are two effective means of improving language proficiency of students, separately. However, few empirical studies have explored their complementarity in the context of English as a second language. This study, therefore, investigates the effects of combining isolated and integrated FFI on the speaking and writing skills of second language (L2) learners at the tertiary level in the Philippines. Forty-one college students were divided into two groups: Group A received both the isolated and integrated FFI, while Group B received the standard English programme for college freshmen. Findings suggest that students who received the combined isolated and integrated FFI have significantly improved in their productive skills and have outperformed the students from the control group.

Keywords:

• integrated form-focused instruction
• isolated form-focused instruction
• productive skills
• integrated approach