The paper titled "Teaching Figures of Speech as a Productive Skill and its Influence on EFL Learners' Creative Writing" by Hasan Mohammed Saleh Jaashan explores the impact of teaching figures of speech as a productive skill on the creative writing abilities of EFL learners at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia. The primary focus of the study is to assess whether a shift from traditional receptive teaching methods to a productive approach can enhance students' ability to write creatively.
The study aims to investigate two key aspects: first, the extent to which teaching figures of speech as a productive skill enhances students' creative writing; and second, the attitudes of EFL learners toward this approach. By examining these aspects, the study seeks to provide evidence on the effectiveness of innovative teaching methods in fostering creativity among learners.
Methodologically, the research is experimental and involves 42 EFL learners enrolled in the course "Introduction to Literary Forms." The participants were divided into two groups: one taught figures of speech using traditional receptive methods and the other using a productive approach. The latter group was introduced to figures of speech through a three-stage process that encouraged them to apply these devices in their creative writing. The study also employed a questionnaire to gauge the students' perceptions of the teaching method.
The key findings indicate that learners taught figures of speech as a productive skill were able to compose creative and original pieces of writing, demonstrating a moderate to good grasp of creative writing. In contrast, those taught through receptive methods struggled to produce creative work. The study concludes that teaching figures of speech as a productive skill positively influences learners' creative writing abilities and is highly recommended for inclusion in the curriculum. Additionally, the study reveals that students showed a positive attitude toward this teaching method, recognizing its potential to enhance their creativity and autonomy as writers.
In conclusion, the study highlights the significance of adopting innovative teaching methods that promote active engagement with language and creativity. The findings suggest that teaching figures of speech as a productive skill not only improves students' creative writing but also fosters a more positive attitude toward learning, ultimately contributing to their overall linguistic development.