AUTHENTIC ASSESSMENT LEARNING TOWARDS WRITING SKILLS IMPROVEMENT OF 1ST YEAR BSED ENGLISH STUDENTS AT BESTLINK COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Abstract

Effective writing is a key aspect of professionalism, especially when it comes to crafting sales proposals, formal letters, and even everyday emails. In today's interconnected and diverse world, the ability to communicate clearly in writing has become more essential than ever. However, traditional methods of assessing writing skills, such as multiple-choice tests, have limitations in accurately measuring a student’s writing capabilities. These conventional approaches often fail to fully capture the range of skills necessary for strong writing, such as creativity, critical thinking, and the ability to effectively convey complex ideas. A more holistic evaluation of writing abilities is needed to better understand a student’s proficiency. This study employed a Quantitative Research method, focusing on objective data collection and statistical analysis through a questionnaire. The respondents were first-year BSED students majoring in English from sections 1101 to 1109 at Bestlink College of the Philippines for the 2023-2024 academic year. A total of 200 respondents were selected using Slovin's formula to determine the appropriate sample size. To ensure fairness and eliminate bias, simple random sampling was utilized, ensuring the representativeness and validity of the study's findings. The distribution of students across sections was done evenly to ensure a balanced and diverse representation in the study sample. Among the various writing tasks, essays received the highest mean score of 3.475, while argumentative essays scored a mean of 2.9. The most prominent challenge faced by the respondents was deficiencies in grammar, vocabulary, and punctuation, which garnered the highest mean score of 2.895. A significant number of respondents strongly agreed that offering instructional guides, encouraging participation in writing activities, and organizing professional workshops focused on writing skills would greatly enhance their writing abilities. The study not only supports existing literature but also offers fresh insights into the effectiveness of authentic assessments. Through a detailed analysis of different authentic assessment methods among 1st-year BSED English students, we provide practical guidance for educators and institutions. The findings highlight the significance of personalized interventions and well-rounded strategies to address the unique writing challenges students encounter. The students’ enthusiastic response to creating a guide emphasizes the value of hands-on, practical learning experiences in improving writing abilities.