UTAS’ Students Performance in Writing Formal Emails at Post-Foundation Level: A Comparison between Structured and Unstructured Teaching Method

Abstract

Aim of the Study: The study aimed at finding out the levels of efficacy of two ways of teaching formal email writing: structured and unstructured methods. The study analyzed email responses of two groups of fifteen students each, studying at University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Al-Musannah Campus. These students were taught email writing via two different ways: structured and unstructured email writing. The students’ responses to prompt emails in their midterm exams were considered as the data for the study.

Methodology: The content of the collected data was qualitatively analyzed for themes like task completion, content, tone and sentiment, language and formality, and innovation and improvisation.

Findings: The analysis of the data suggests that structured method of teaching email writing is more efficient for the students in the university.

Conclusion: The study concluded that the structured method of email writing is a better option for the students studying at UTAS, Sultanate of Oman, compared to the unstructured method, and should be followed by the teachers in similar contexts.