Free Writing as Creative Means for English Language Education
Yani Susanti, S.S., M.A., Dr. Risa R. Simanjuntak, S.S., M.App.Ling., M.A.

Bina Nusantara University
Jl. Kemanggisan Ilir III No.45, RT.12/RW.6, Kemanggisan, Kec. Palmerah, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11480

Abstract

During the time of the pandemic language learning was limited from direct and personal communications. In order to support language learners to still actively use the language other means of learning needs to be used. This present research investigated the application of free writing as creative means for language learning. The free writing activity was introduced during online learning mode and students were given the time to compose their stories on the topic of isolation. Data from this research was taken from a corpus of 23 fictional writings by students of English Department at a private university in Jakarta, Indonesia. AntConc 3.5.8 (2019) was used to identify the recurring use of lexical items and language patterns used by students. Results showed there were constructed meanings created by the students in their writing. Certain lexical items and structures were used in order to create the feeling, context, and message of isolation. Students as language learners were identified to reuse their vocabularies in order to convey their ideas. It was shown that relative limitation of vocabularies did not hinder language learners to convey their meanings through writing. It was concluded that creative approaches could be used in order to support language learning. Implication on further studies were also discussed from the findings of this present research.

Keywords: English language education- language learning- online learning- free writing- creative writing- fiction writing- corpus analysis

Topic: Education